According to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Dubai has recently introduced a five-year multiple-entry visa to encourage travel between India and the Gulf nation. As per the latest data released by DET, in 2023, Dubai witnessed a 25 per cent increase in the number of overnight visitors from India, making it the top source market.
The city welcomed 2.46 million tourists from India in the previous year, while it hosted 1.84 million tourists from India in the year-ago period and 1.97 million in 2019. The data also revealed that with an impressive 34 per cent year-on-year growth, Inda has continued to be the number one source market with 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.
This step ensures that the visa, issued within 2-5 working days upon receiving and accepting the service request, allows its holder to stay in the country for 90 days, extendable once for a similar period, with a total stay not exceeding 180 days in one year.
Through this initiative, tourists can leverage multiple entries and exits, providing operational flexibility for business engagements, leisure travel, and seamless connectivity, DET added.
In 2023, the tourism sector in Dubai achieved a record-breaking performance, thanks to the outstanding inbound visitation from India. Bader Ali Habib, Regional Head of Proximity Markets at Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, stated that India is a key market for Dubai and will continue to play a crucial role in helping the city achieve the goals of the D33 Agenda. This will further reinforce Dubai's position as a hub for business, investment, and tourism. Habib believes that this historic milestone initiative will not only provide Indian tourists with a longer and more enriching experience but also create opportunities for increased economic collaboration. He added that with exceptional flight connectivity and the city's ongoing commitment to the Indian market, upcoming initiatives would further amplify awareness about Dubai's diverse offerings, multicultural setting, and abundance of hotels and attractions and make it the top travel choice for Indian tourists. According to DET data, Dubai welcomed 17.15 million international overnight visitors in 2023, representing a 19.4 per cent growth over the 14.36 million tourist arrivals recorded in 2022.
(With inputs from PTI)