Abu Dhabi: The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) on Tuesday hosted its first City Briefing of 2025, a key bi-annual stakeholder engagement platform that further reinforces Dubai's collaborative approach to tourism growth. Held at the Coca-Cola Arena, the briefing brought together more than 1,300 industry leaders and professionals from across the hospitality, aviation, retail, and F and B sectors, along with representatives from government entities.
According to Emirates News Agency, reflecting the UAE Year of Community's focus on building a connected society grounded in belonging and shared purpose, the briefing highlighted the critical role that partners across the public and private sectors are playing in Dubai's continued tourism performance. The event was more interactive than ever, with stakeholders providing insights and expertise poised to feed into DET's strategy and initiatives going forward, further elevating the city's appeal to global leisure and business audiences.
In the presence of Helal Saeed Almarri, Director-General of DET, the latest edition provided a comprehensive update on the city's tourism performance, campaigns, festivals, and events, and strategic priorities for the year ahead. Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), emphasized the resilience and steadfast support of stakeholders, which contributed to record-breaking performances in 2024 and exceptional results in 2025.
The briefing highlighted Dubai's achievement as the first Certified Autism Destination in the Eastern Hemisphere, with over 70,000 individuals trained in autism and sensory awareness. Additionally, more than 300 hotels are engaged in certification processes to ensure accessible experiences for all visitors.
Significant projects such as the 'MyDubai Communities' digital platform, launched in April, were also discussed. The platform aims to strengthen community bonds and promote values of tolerance and coexistence. The City Briefing introduced the "Dubai. That's How You Summer" campaign, positioning Dubai as a must-visit summer destination, and the global campaign "Find Your Story," featuring stars Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi, highlighting Dubai's attractions.
The return of Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) was announced, offering a vibrant calendar of activities from 27th June to 31st August 2025, structured into three retail periods to drive consumer engagement. Dubai's food scene emerged as a key tourism driver, with around 1,200 new restaurant licenses issued in 2024, and the fourth edition of the MICHELIN Guide Dubai featuring 119 restaurants across 35 cuisines.
The event concluded with a strong call to action for stakeholders to maintain their momentum and continued partnership throughout the year.