Dubai, one of the safest destinations in the world
Dubai, which reopened its borders to the world on July 7, has put in place new and strict measures and protocols to guarantee the safety, well-being and tranquility of travelers in order to face the health crisis. It is the fourth most visited city in the world, with 16.73 million international tourists in 2019 and has recovered energy and dynamism this summer after the reopening of attractions, facilities and services such as public beaches, hotels, shopping centres, restaurants, swimming pools, water parks and golf courses. Spain is the 26th key market for Dubai, with 114,758 visitors staying overnight in 2019, a growth of 9% compared to the previous year.
Dubai is poised to continue welcoming Spanish visitors this autumn and winter thanks to the successful implementation of its security measures for which it has received the seal ‘Safe Travels‘, a global tourism safety certificate awarded by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), an independent global authority. This seal makes it easy for travelers to recognize governments and companies around the world that have implemented global protocols for public health and hygiene.
The security measures adopted by the city authorities to safeguard residents and visitors are among the strictest and most sophisticated ever taken worldwide. “As we reopen Dubai’s doors to tourism and welcome our international visitors back to the city, our foremost priority is their well-being, achieved through stringent hygiene and safety protocols that have been deployed across all tourist touch points,” Helal Saeed Almarri, director general, Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) said. “The WTTC's Safe Travels stamp endorses Dubai’s strong global co-operation in combating the pandemic with comprehensive and effective measures to ensure guest health and safety. “We trust that our efforts not only provide an optimised experience for our visitors, but also secure their health and that of their families, further cementing the confidence that our guests have had thus far in Dubai.”
As of 26 September, the United Arab Emirates have conducted almost 10 million tests, with a percentage of positive tests per 100,000 below 1%, and is ranked among the top 10 countries worldwide that have performed the most COVID-19 tests. Dubai airports maintain the health and safety of both travelers and airport staff: use of protective screens at check-in and immigration counters, thermal and temperature control, markers of social distancing and increased levels of sanitation in compliance with international standards established by the competent authorities.
Another measure that has made it possible to position Dubai as one of the safest destinations in the world is the initiative “DUBAI ASSURED”, A seal issued by the government authorities of Dubai that certifies and recognizes hotels, establishments, food outlets and attractions that have implemented all public health protocols for the prevention and management of COVID-19. The stamp is issued free of charge to each establishment and is valid for 15 days. Every two weeks each establishment will be verified again by the inspectors of the pertinent authority and the seal will be renewed.
Passengers who book a flight with airline flydubai will automatically get free global cover for COVID-19 expenses (health expenses and quarantine costs) when travelling to and from the UAE and around the world for free (until October 31st with Emirates and until November 30th with flydubai). From 1st August all tourists, residents, citizens and transit passengers must provide valid negative PCR proof. Negative COVID-19 certificates will be valid for up to 96 hours from the time of testing.
One of the objectives is to ensure that travellers have travel medical insurance with international coverage before travelling. In addition, to complete the health declaration form prior to departure to ensure that the passenger is free of symptoms of COVID-19. Also, tourists must register all their data in the Covid-19 DXB application. And the use of a mask is still mandatory in Dubai and it is recommended to keep the interpersonal distance of two meters, as well as regular hand washing.
