And finally, we can comfortably say Dubai is 100% sterilized. The Dubai Civil Defence completed 100% sterilization of the city, as per plan. The operation used 75,000 liters of sterilising substances every day since the beginning of the national sterilisation programme. Hats off to the team that pulled this off!
In addition, the authorities also said that some areas in the city including Naif and Al Ras will be resterilised after normal activities are restored. The civil defense is using massive trucks to ensure faster sanitization of all areas. The sterilization program was conducted across all places in the city as well as workers’ accommodations in Al Qouz, Jebel Ali and Al Muheisnah, Al Mutawa. Residents are urged to follow the directives of the authorities and stay home from 10pm to 6am to ensure their own safety.
In other news, Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing said the emirate might reopen for tourists from early July. Helal Al Marri, the director general of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said the reopening will be gradual. Dubai will welcome tourists over a period, with delays until September. The Dubai tourism will access the situation and global trends surrounding Covid-19 prior to reopening.
“The thing about the scenario is a global question. Many countries remain closed and it’s more about the bilateral discussion,” Al Marri told Bloomberg TV.
Currently, the UAE has suspended inbound flights, to combat the spread of Covid -19. The UAE and other foreign airlines are only offering repatriation flights to help people stranded to get to their home countries.
What Else?
Tourism is one of the largest contributors to the Dubai’s economy. Every year, there has been a significant rise in the number of tourists flocking in. Last year too, Dubai welcomed an impressive number of tourists. According to official data from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, Dubai received a record of 16.73 million visitors in 2019.
A study conducted by the Nations World Tourism Organisation has revealed that over 16.73 million visitors holidayed in Dubai in 2019. This is the number of overnight visitors Dubai saw 2019 and the number indicated a 5.1% growth.
India continued to remain a top source market for Dubai, with tourists from the country reaching a whopping 2 million. Chinese travelers increased by 13% after the country granted visa on arrival to Chinese citizens. Furthermore, France inched by two spots, with visitor number growing by 17%, while Russian tourists dropped by 10%.
Here are the top 6 countries that were a source of market in 2019:
- India
- Saudi Arabia
- UK
- Oman
- China
- Russia
Helal Saeed Almarri, director general of Dubai Tourism, said: The first quarter, is only a reflection of the successes of many ongoing initiatives and efforts of all our partners in the sector. This is not just the city’s impressive attractions, but also through customized programs and presentations to fulfill its promises and obligations to all its visitors”.