Dubai could gradually start reopening to tourists, starting as early as July, according to the director-general of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing.
Speaking to Bloomberg TV, Helal Al Marri said that the process, however, will be dependent on travel opening in other parts of the world. “The thing about the scenario is a global question. Many countries remain closed and it’s more about the bilateral discussion.”
Tourism is one of Dubai’s biggest industries with 16.73 million visitors last year contributing over Dh150 billion to the local economy and with tourist visas to Dubai being suspended since March 17, tourism has suffered.
Air travel has also been affected with no inbound traffic being allowed by the UAE authorities. Currently, the UAE and other foreign airlines are only operating repatriation flights out of the UAE to their home countries.
Earlier this month, International Airport Tourism Authority (IATA), forecasted a decline in 23.8 million passengers and a revenue loss of US$5.36 billion for the airline industry risking 287,863 jobs and Dh17.7 billion from the country’s economy, calling for a mixture of direct financial support to the airlines in form of loans, long guarantees, support for the corporate bond market and tax reliefs.
