Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has introduced a five-year multiple-entry visa, aiming to enhance tourism connections between India and the Gulf nation. This initiative is designed to facilitate smoother and more flexible travel for Indian tourists, fostering stronger ties and promoting Dubai as a preferred destination. The extended validity of the visa is expected to encourage frequent visits and extended stays, contributing to the growth of tourism and economic collaboration between the two regions.
Referring to the most recent data provided by DET, Dubai witnessed a notable increase in tourism from India in 2023, welcoming 2.46 million overnight visitors. This reflects a significant 25% surge compared to the pre-pandemic period. The data highlights India as the primary source market, surpassing other countries. A year earlier, the city hosted 1.84 million Indian tourists, and in 2019, it received 1.97 million visitors from India. The consistent growth, marked by a 34% year-on-year increase, solidifies India's position as the leading source market, contributing the highest number of international visitors from a single country.
¡°Dubai introduced a five-year multiple-entry visa to further bolster travel between India and Dubai, to foster sustained economic collaborations and encourage tourism and business ties," the DET said.?
Moreover, this advancement underscores that the visa, processed in 2-5 working days after receiving and approving the service request, grants the holder a 90-day stay in the country. It can be extended once for a comparable duration, allowing for a total stay not exceeding 180 days within a year.
¡°Through this initiative, tourists can leverage multiple entries and exits, providing operational flexibility for business engagements, leisure travel, and seamless connectivity," DET added. ¡°Our inbound visitation from India in 2023 was outstanding, contributing to a record-breaking performance by our tourism sector, " it added.
¡°As a key market for Dubai, India will continue to play an integral role in enabling us to achieve the goals of the D33 Agenda, further reinforcing Dubai's position as a hub for business, investment and tourism," Bader Ali Habib, Regional Head of Proximity Markets at Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, said.
Furthermore, according to Bader Ali Habib, this historic milestone initiative will not only open doors to a longer and more enriching experience for Indian tourists but also provide a platform for increased economic collaboration, PTI reported.
¡°With exceptional flight connectivity and our ongoing commitment to the Indian market, we are confident that our upcoming initiatives will further amplify awareness about Dubai's diverse offerings, multicultural setting, and abundance of hotels and attractions, continuing to make it the top travel choice for Indian tourists," he added.
According to DET data, ¡°Dubai welcomed 17.15 million international overnight visitors in 2023, a 19.4 percent growth over the 14.36 million tourist arrivals in 2022."
(With inputs from PTI)
For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth.?Click here