Latest news with #Dhs57
Gulf Today
a day ago
- Business
- Gulf Today
Global visitors to UAE spent Dhs217 billion in 2024, says Sheikh Mohammed
A recent report by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) revealed that the UAE's travel and tourism sector delivered an exceptional performance in 2024. The sector contributed Dhs257.3 billion ($70.1 billion) to the national GDP, accounting for 13% of the economy. This marks a 3.2% increase from 2023 and a remarkable 26% growth compared to 2019, one of the highest growth rates globally and regionally in terms of tourism's contribution to economic development. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, praised the sector's achievements, stating, "In a new indicator of the strength and diversity of our national economy, the WTTC report highlights the exceptional achievements of the UAE tourism sector. International visitor spending exceeded Dhs217 billion last year, with domestic tourism expenditure reaching Dhs57 billion. The UAE ranks among the world's top seven destinations for international tourist spending, surpassing countries that have been in this industry for centuries." He added, "We welcome tourists, delight in attracting investors, embrace talent, and build the best environment for living, tourism, and visitation. Welcome to the world." Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, emphasised that the UAE has placed tourism at the heart of its strategy to drive economic diversification and sustainable growth. He credited the nation's success to proactive initiatives and strategic tourism plans that have positioned the UAE as a unique and attractive global destination. These efforts include strengthening infrastructure across the seven emirates, enhancing the appeal of tourism-related investments, and showcasing the country's rich cultural and experiential diversity. Significant improvements in airport and travel infrastructure have also contributed to the country's elevated standing in global travel and tourism. Al Marri also noted, "Just days ago, the UAE achieved a historic milestone in the tourism sector with the election of Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais, Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). Today's WTTC results reaffirm the wisdom of our leadership's vision in enhancing the competitiveness of our tourism sector, creating employment opportunities for Emiratis, and further cementing our position as a global tourism powerhouse." "These achievements underscore that the UAE tourism sector is confidently progressing toward the goals set out in the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031. The strategy aims to increase the sector's contribution to the national GDP to DHS450 billion and raise the number of hotel guests to 40 million annually by the next decade." He noted that national efforts are ongoing to develop a fully integrated tourism ecosystem, guided by international best practices. These efforts include strengthening engagement with key regional and international tourism markets, expanding the range of tourism offerings, and enhancing service quality to provide comprehensive and enriching experiences for visitors from around the world. "These initiatives are in line with the UAE vision We the UAE 2031, and they aim to elevate the country's status as one of the world's leading tourism destinations in the coming decade," he concluded. Regarding international tourism, the WTTC report highlighted that the UAE continues to assert its position as one of the world's leading travel destinations. In 2024, the country welcomed international visitors from a diverse range of key markets, including India: 14%, United Kingdom: 8%, Russia: 8%, China: 5%, Saudi Arabia: 5%, and rest of the world: 60%. This broad geographical distribution reflects the UAE's growing global appeal and the effectiveness of its flexible and inclusive tourism policies in attracting a wide array of visitors. The report further revealed that international visitor spending in the UAE reached Dhs217.3 billion ($59.2 billion) in 2024, marking a 5.8% increase from 2023 and a 30.4% rise compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Meanwhile, domestic tourism spending also witnessed strong growth, reaching Dhs57.6 billion ($15.7 billion) in 2024, an increase of 2.4% over 2023 and a remarkable 41% rise compared to 2019. These figures underscore both the resilience and upward momentum of the UAE's tourism sector across international and domestic fronts, further solidifying its position as a premier global destination. The WTTC report projects that international visitor spending in the UAE will rise by 5.2% in 2025, reaching approximately Dhs228.5 billion. Meanwhile, domestic tourism spending is expected to grow by 4.3%, hitting DHS60 billion by the end of the year. The report also highlighted that leisure tourism accounted for 84.7% of total tourism expenditure in the UAE in 2024, while business tourism represented 15.3%. This demonstrates the sector's adaptability and its ability to balance both recreational and commercial tourism demands. Moreover, the breakdown of spending showed that 79% of total tourism expenditure came from international visitors, while 21% was attributed to domestic tourists. The report further emphasised that despite the UAE's rapid tourism sector growth, the country has remained firmly committed to environmental standards and sustainability goals. In 2023, carbon emissions linked to tourism activities accounted for only 13.3% of the nation's total emissions, reflecting the UAE's strategic focus on integrating sustainability across its tourism landscape. This performance aligns with the UAE's broader vision to promote sustainable practices across all sectors - ensuring that tourism growth goes hand-in-hand with environmental responsibility and long-term ecological balance. On the social front, the report highlighted that women accounted for 16.3% of the direct workforce in the UAE's travel and tourism sector in 2023. Additionally, youth aged 15-24 years made up 9.7% of the total employment in the sector, reflecting its growing role in empowering both women and younger generations within the national labour market. From a fiscal perspective, the tourism and travel sector generated $8.6 billion in tax revenues in 2023, representing 5.4% of total government revenues. This underscores the sector's increasing financial significance and its vital contribution to the country's public treasury. On the global level, the report stated that the travel and tourism sector contributed $10.9 trillion to the global GDP in 2024, representing 10% of the world economy. This reflects an 8.5% increase compared to 2023 and a 6% rise compared 2019. Looking ahead, the sector's contribution is projected to reach US$11.7 trillion in 2025, which would mark a 6.7% increase over 2024 and a 13% growth over 2019, underscoring the sustained recovery and expansion of global tourism. The report also highlighted the sector's robust role in job creation, with 356.6 million jobs generated worldwide in 2024, accounting for 10.6% of total global employment. This represents a 6.2% increase from 2023 and a 5.6% increase from 2019. WAM
What's On
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
7 of the most Instagrammable French toasts in Dubai
Breakfast may be the most important meal of the day, but it's also the most Instagrammable. And one dish that particularly pops on your feed is French toast. In our endless quest for the city's best breakfasts, we've rounded up 12 of the most drool-worthy French toasts in Dubai… Somewhere One of the most photogenic French toasts in Dubai, Somewhere's version is inspired by spicy, milky karak tea, with cool soft serve on the side and warm karak poured at the table (Dhs57). Somewhere, Fashion Avenue, The Dubai Mall, Mon to Thurs 9am to 12am, Fri to Sun 9am to 1am. Tel: (6)00 555 551. @ The Sum of Us Golden, gooey, and a little fruity Salted Caramel French Toast gets a luxe upgrade with poached plums and crème anglaise. (Dhs55). The Sum of Us, Ground Floor, Burj Al Salam, World Trade Centre, daily 8am to 9pm. Tel: (0)56 445 7526.@thesumofus Brunch & Cake Everything about this café is made for the 'Gram, and the Nutella French Toast (Dhs76) is no exception — stacked high, slathered in Nutella, drizzled with toasted milk, and topped with fresh berries, caramelised bananas, and crunchy pecans. It's the kind of sweet overload we're not sorry about.. Brunch & Cake, Wasl 51, Al Wasl Rd, Jumeirah 1, daily 8am to 10:30pm.@brunchandcake Mitts & Trays Homemade Brioche French Toast — thick, fluffy, and golden, served with your choice of fresh berries or cheesecake caramelised banana, finished with a generous drizzle of maple syrup. A sweet start worth waking up for (Dhs56) Mitts & Trays, City Walk and Bluewaters Island, daily 8am to 11:30pm. @mittsandtraysuae Izu Bakery Chef Izu Ani offers a slice of Parisian perfection with his classic combination of French toast, berry compote and caramel cream (Dhs55). Izu Bakery, Galeries Lafayette Dubai Mall, daily 10am to 5:30pm. @izubakery Slab When you want your French toast with a bit of heft, seek out Slab's cornflake-crusted version, with a moist-maker of maple syrup and the freshness of berries. (Dhs65) Slab, Mercato Mall, Jumeirah 1, Sun to Thurs 9am to 10:45pm, Fri and Sat 9am to 11:45pm. @ Sarabeth's For purists on the hunt for French toasts in Dubai, this pretty saffron milk toast is topped with fresh berries, pistachios and whipped cream (Dhs59). Sarabeth's, City Walk, daily 7.30am to 11.30pm. @ Images: Instagram > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Gulf Today
26-02-2025
- Health
- Gulf Today
Patient gets Dhs1 million compensation for medical error at a Dubai hospital
Dubai Appellate Court has issued a ruling compensating an Arab patient with Dhs1 million, after he suffered a severe medical error during a surgery at a private hospital in Dubai, resulting in permanent brain damage and a coma. The Court of First Instance had previously ruled to compensate the patient with Dhs7.5 million, but both the hospital and the patient's family appealed the verdict. The details of the case date back to March 2023, when the patient underwent a surgical procedure using laser to remove a cervical disc and local injection of cortisone, under the supervision of a medical team consisting of a surgeon and an anesthesiologist. After the operation, the patient allegedly experienced serious complications which resulted in a complete brain damage due to oxygen deprivation, causing him to fall into a permanent coma. The patient's family filed a complaint with the Medical Liability Committee at the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and then with the Higher Medical Liability Committee (HMLC). Both committees affirmed in their reports that a severe medical error had occurred, along with negligence on the part of the anesthesiologist for leaving the operating room before the patient regained consciousness. The report concluded that both the surgeon and the anesthesiologist were held responsible for the error, with a 50% share of responsibility for each. The patient's family filed a compensation claim before the civil court, demanding a compensation of Dhs57 million for the material and moral damages they suffered due to the loss of their primary breadwinner. After examining the case, the Court of First Instance issued a ruling obliging the hospital and the doctors to pay a compensation of Dhs7.5 million, with a legal interest of 5% annually from the date of the ruling until full payment. Following the ruling, both parties filed appeals before the Appellate Court and the plaintiffs demanded an increase in the compensation amount to Dhs57 million, while the appellees challenged the ruling, requesting complete annulment. After examining the appeals, the Appellate Court decided to modify the ruling of the Court of First Instance by reducing the compensation amount to Dhs1 million. The court also ordered the appellees to jointly pay the amount, along with bearing the legal fees. Dr Alaa Nasr, the legal representative of the patient and his family, stated that determining the compensation amount is the court's responsibility, that assesses it based on its estimation of the material and moral damages incurred by the harmed party.
