Dubai Wants to Change Travelers’ Perceptions On How Expensive It Is

Many travelers assume that if they don’t have a lot of money, they cannot visit Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. They see the remarkable modern architecture, the lavish shopping and luxurious hotels and sigh. However, travelers on a budget shouldn’t give up the idea of visiting the city. Currently, the UAE city is working to dispel “misconceptions” about the cost of a vacation there. Moreover, the tourism board aims to make the city one of the best to live in and visit by 2033.

Dubai can be affordable for travelers on a budget

When most people think about Dubai, they think of the lavish and hugely expensive shopping, luxurious hotels and incredible activities. Here, visitors can dive into the world’s deepest pool, or stand on the top of a 219-meter-high (718-feet) skyscraper. Visitors can also enjoy the new and exciting Museum of the Future, or enjoy an indoor ski ramp.

Yes, many of the attractions are expensive. However, the city’s tourism authorities want to dispel the belief that every vacation there comes with a huge price tag. With their latest tourism campaign, the ultramodern city focuses on dispelling “misconceptions” about the costs in the city while aiming to boost visitor numbers in 2025.

Moreover, the new campaign wishes to demonstrate that Dubai isn’t just for ultra-wealthy travelers while promoting the city as a year-round vacation destination.

The UAE city isn’t just for those with a big budget

Between January and September this year, the UAE city welcomed 13.29 million international visitors, a 7 percent increase on the same period last year. Hoor Al Khaja, Senior Vice President of International Operations at the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism said they hope the new tourism strategy will further grow tourist numbers in 2025, adding:

There are misconceptions about Dubai and the region as a whole. We have a saying which goes, ‘If you go, you know’. Once people visit Dubai, they realize the misconceptions were not factual perceptions. We are working hard to educate the public and the trade about that.

Al Khaja’s target is to make Dubai one of the best cities to live in and visit by 2033, saying that one key misconception about the city is that it is “financially unobtainable.”

While the city boasts the second-most five-star hotels in the world, Al Khaja points out that there are plenty of affordable accommodations too.

“It’s no secret Dubai is home to a lot of luxury, iconic properties but there’s a variety of options available,” she said. “We have a healthy mix of affordable stays – and a three-star hotel in Dubai can compete with any four or five-star hotel globally. You’re really getting value for money.”

How safe is Dubai for travelers?

Dubai’s tourist board also wishes to change the misconception that it is not a safe place for tourists. Al Khaja said it was “understandable” that the current conflict in the Middle East sparks concern for travelers, but said that this perception is down to “limitations in geography [knowledge]”.

Once you’re there [in Dubai] you realize it’s not a factor. It is one of the safest cities in the world.

When is the best time to visit Dubai?

Moreover, tourism authorities want to promote Dubai as a year-round vacation destination, welcoming travelers in the summer as well as the winter.

“People are less apprehensive now about visiting Dubai in the summer,” Al Khaja said. “There’s more awareness about what there is to do in the summer; there are amazing resorts with amazing facilities.”

Al Khaja said there are more indoor activities available as well as an “element of affordable luxury in the summer.”

Among the activities, visitors can explore the sprawling Dubai Mall and eat in Chinatown. They can also cool down with a visit to Ski Dubai, the indoor ski slope, explore the Museum of the Future or watch a performance at the Dubai Opera, including incredible musical performances by the talented, composer, musician, and singer, Sami Yusuf.

Readers can learn more by visiting Dubai’s official tourism website here.