HE Helal Al Marri, Director General of Dubai Tourism:
As we take stock of the economic impact caused by COVID-19 on all sectors, of which tourism was one of the most impacted, we see our recovery coming across 3 phases.
The first, the pause phase, is where we are today and our immediate focus is on ensuring that the strong relief programme put in place by the Federal and Dubai government to support travel, tourism and all related sectors is swiftly executed.
In the second phase we will prepare to welcome limited travel from this autumn, as we gradually reopen sectors and markets. This prudent approach to reopening travel is a global question given many airports and air spaces remain closed, so we are working with all relevant bilateral organisations to have a coordinated approach to opening up.
Our priority remains safeguarding the wellbeing of our guests and our people and we are working with Emirates, flydubai, airline partners and relevant authorities to support the planned reopening of routes. Emirates, in fact, have started taking bookings from 1 July. I am confident that once we enter the final phase of full reopening and return of confidence in travel behaviours, Dubai will be ideally suited to deliver the exceptional customer experience in this ‘new normal’ of tourism.
