Dubai Dining Costs Surpass Paris, London, and Tokyo: What's Driving the Price Surge?
Stefano Mihalitisianos, Managing Director for the Middle East at Tashas Group, attributed the price hikes to the broader political and economic climate, particularly the impacts of the Ukraine-Russia war. "The cost of goods has gone up globally, and rents have increased significantly in recent years,"
he noted during a panel discussion organized by the UAE Restaurant Group at the Dubai Chamber.
A recent study by UK-based Holidu ranked Dubai 98th among 150 cities for dining costs. Inexpensive meals in the city average 10 euros (Dh38), while mid-range meals for two cost around 62 euros (Dh197). Surprisingly, Dubai outperforms cities like Paris, London, and Tokyo in terms of dining affordability.
Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi ranked 75th globally, with an inexpensive meal costing 6.2 euros (Dh23.5) and a mid-range meal priced at 49.5 euros (Dh187).
Despite the price increases, Mihalitisianos emphasized that restaurants are not exploiting the situation. 'Restaurants are navigating through rising labor costs, rents, and inflation while staying competitive,'
he explained.
Naveed Nasir, founder of Khadak restaurant chain, urged transparency in pricing, stressing that compromising on quality for short-term gains can harm a business in the long run.
Maha Al Gargawi, Vice President of Business Advocacy at Dubai Chamber, highlighted the growth potential in the restaurant sector, noting that the UAE's food services industry is projected to surpass $23.2 billion this year and reach $52.7 billion by 2030.
News Source: Khaleej Times
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