Dubai is aiming to reopen for tourists as early as July.
Dubai is planning to welcome holidaymakers back into the emirate as soon as the beginning of July.
Speaking to Bloomberg TV, Helal Al Marri, director general of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said the return of tourism will start gradually and may be pushed back until September.
“The thing about this current scenario is it’s a global question: many airports internationally remain closed and it’s really about the bilateral discussions that are under way to have a coordinated approach to the reopening,” he said.
With hotels putting health and hygiene at the forefront, leading to higher costs, Al Marri ruled out a possibility of government intervention.
The sector “is not interested in the government controlling supply or pricing of hotel rooms. Investors in hotels definitely have expertise and experience to make their own decisions.”
With Dubai’s economy heavily reliant on tourism and retail, many Dubai residents welcome the news.
Although most tourist attractions remain shut, some restaurants throughout the Emirate are starting to reopen. Both the Dubai Mall and Mall of The Emirates have partially reopened this week.
Dubai received 16.7 million tourists last year, with Indians, Saudi Arabians and British nationals visiting the most.
The UAE on Tuesday announced 541 new coronavirus cases, taking the total to 11,380 cases and 89 deaths.
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