The travel industry in the United Arab Emirates has recovered from the effects of the pandemic the fastest in the world, according to a report by global technology company Travelport. Its growth was 110% compared to 2019.
The recovery was made possible by the massive vaccination campaign and the sustained recovery of the MICE sector. The Dubai market reached the level of recovery of 114% by 2019 and took the leading position in the Middle East in this indicator.
Dubai is ranked as the top global destination for corporate travellers, accounting for almost 29% of all bookings in 2022. In terms of activity for business travelers, Dubai is ahead of London.
A report by Travelport says that major events, including the World Expo 2020, have helped Dubai recover. It is noted that it was visited by more than 24 million guests. In January and February 2022 alone, Dubai attracted 2.19 million tourists, 15% of them came from Russia and Eastern Europe.
Travelport says the UK, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Germany, Saudi Arabia, France, the US and Italy remain the top travel markets for the UAE.
It is worth noting that the global tourism industry has recovered more than two-thirds of its activity – 67% – compared to 2019, which is 14% more than at the end of 2021.
Dubai was previously ranked as the #1 Best Family Vacation Destination in a survey conducted by insurance company InsureMyTrip. The ranking included 62 destinations, with Colombo, the Turks and Caicos Islands and Barbados being the closest pursuers to Dubai.
Users rated the quality of family hotels, attractions and beaches, the general safety of the destination, and even underwater sea currents. Dubai scored especially high in five of the seven categories, including safety (10), quality of family fun (10), low ocean currents (9.75) and sea temperature (7.7).