The perception of Dubai during the summer

As the summer is synonymous with holiday season, I had the chance to take part in our company #roadshow Luxury in the Air by Hilton and catch up with some of the most influential travel partners from across #London , #Milan , #Rome and many more. It is one of my favorite time of the year as it gives me an opportunity to connect and enjoy long summer evenings and get a pulse of travel intentions in a more relaxed format. While meeting potential clients and talking about all possible topics, there was one cliché question that I was always asked.?‘How is the weather in Dubai? While #Dubai was voted in 2022 the fastest post-pandemic recovery destination, the perceptions on the old Continent remained that of an era prior to COVID: Why would we come to Dubai if the heat is so unbearable and we cannot step out’? I was taken quite aback with this question, and it is sad to know, that many people have this perception about Dubai. Dubai has grown tremendously in the past few years, with #EXPO2020 held in Dubai, the Dubai Frame that portrays old and new Dubai, Mohammed bin Rashid Library, the iconic Museum of the Future and the list goes on. These new landmarks will continue to help Dubai claim a spot on the #tourism map this summer with a plethora of indoor and outdoor activities, tourist attractions and much more.

Before I start my never-ending list on what Dubai has to offer, I want to go down memory lane. I first came to Dubai in 1999, just to see what Dubai is. During that time, not many people knew Dubai and Dubai mainly consisted of #Deira , #Bur Dubai, #Jumeirah 1 and the rest was barren land… well, a lot of it. I remember Sheikh Zayed Road having just three lanes and there was no #BurjKhalifa . There was no #‘view’ guests would be awe-ed by. I remember walking down the #Gold Souk in the scorching heat. At that time there, there was one prominent and well-known hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road, which was #Metropolitan by Al Habtoor Group and the first hospitality project by them in Dubai. I have an abundance of memories in this beautiful #city I call home. #MyDubai .

Now, what is Dubai? What does Dubai not have? To name a few:

• Dubai has more than #130000 beds, and this number is #growing . This is the perfect example of how large the tourism sector is in Dubai.
• The center of most #connecting #flights from around the #world . Dubai owned airline Emirates flies to every corner of the #globe with nearly 185 #destinations , and has been rated in the top 10 world’s best airlines.
• Cleanliness and security – Dubai has been rated one of the #safest and #cleanest cities in the world by Global Power City Index . Our ruler and Vice President HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum stated that the cleanliness is not just a matter of hygiene but also a reflection of #culture and #faith .
• The hub of #regional #headquarters of multinational companies, especially when it comes to #hospitality headquarters, #Hilton opened their regional headquarters in Dubai, and have 23 Hilton brands in the city.??

On the other hand, Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection , known as the City of Dreams is a #destination within a destination, consisting of #three luxury hotels – Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City, Habtoor Palace Dubai, LXR Hotels & Resorts and V Hotel Dubai, Curio Collection by Hilton. During the #summer , guests would not feel the need to leave Al Habtoor City, with everything offered to them on a golden platter. With connection with out sister properties – Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah and Al Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection , guests receive #complimentary access to the #beaches with our daily shuttle services. Parents can leave their little ones at the fully equipped Kids Club and enjoy the destination, at the #30 different restaurants and bars, 3 roof top pools or even watch the #magical water themed show La Perle. Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection is also a hop, skip and jump away from major tourist #‘indoor’ destinations, such as Burj Khalifa, Green Planet, Museum of the Future, DIFC and much more. Dubai during the summer is the perfect temperature for water sports at our sister properties (Waldorf Astoria The Palm and/or Habtoor Grand) with complimentary shuttle service.?For the #sport fanatics, they can enjoy a game or two of Tennis at Al Habtoor Tennis Academy with both #indoor and #outdoor courts. With family friendly activities all around Dubai, during summer many residents and citizen leave for #holidays , which makes these family adventures even more engaging, with shorter queues, and summer deals during Dubai Summer Surprises. Guests can enjoy the summer at one of the most iconic water parks in Dubai Wild Wadi, or the biggest indoor theme park in the world IMG World of Adventure, the breathtaking water based theme show La Perle at V Hotel Dubai, rejuvenate the award winning Silk Spa, Habtoor Palace Dubai to sooth the mind body and soul, or last but not the least, the best kind of therapy – #Retail therapy at Dubai Mall.

Recently, during the summer period, we held a group of a basketball tournament for people with #determination . Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection is the perfect spot of people with determination, as each hotel has a number of accessible rooms, where it is a breeze for guests to navigate around the room. One market that is constantly booming and more so ever during the summer is the #Indian market. As per Dubai Tourism and Economic Department , the highest number of tourists in 2022 were from the Indian market, with nearly #1M travelers from Jan – Aug, with the highest percentage during summer (June – August).

Therefore, one thing I will say to my network here on #LinkedIn . Change your perception about #Dubai . It is not about roaming around in the sun all day, and riding camels from one place to another. It is another #world . The world of the #FUTURE !