Here is some of the latest developments in Dubai, as the city resumes tourism and business events.
Dubai Kicks Off Business Events With AI Conference
On 16 July, Dubai World Trade Centre hosted the AI Everything x Restart Dubai Summer Conference, touted as the first live, in-person business networking forum to be hosted in the second half of 2020 in MEASA (Middle East, Africa and South Asia). Showcasing the effect of artificial intelligence on the United Arab Emirates’ pandemic recovery, the event also showed how participating entities, technologies and prototypes can revolutionize the country’s private sector and its growth prospects in the coming years.
The event additionally showcased what safety measures the Dubai World Trade Centre has implemented to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. These included temperature screening, social distancing, contactless transactions and hygiene protocols, with all upcoming events set to be conducted similarly in a highly controlled manner to ensure adherence to the strictest health and safety protocols for public wellbeing.
Key Dubai Entities Join Forces with Business Events
Dubai Business Events (DBE), the city’s official convention bureau, has signed eight memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with entities across the public and private sector, formalizing and reinforcing collaborations that are set to attract more conferences, congresses and meetings to Dubai and ensure that, while business events globally may have been impacted by COVID-19, in the longer-term they will continue to be strong drivers of tourism and economic development for the city, as well as critical pillars for knowledge and scientific advancements.
The MOUs will further strengthen DBE’s Al Safeer Congress Ambassador Program, which has grown to become a network of over 350 members. Established in 2010, the Al Safeer Congress Ambassador Program is a DBE initiative that aims to tap into the expertise and network of U.A.E.-based scientists, academics, industry leaders and government representatives to help attract international business events to Dubai. The MOUs signed through the Al Safeer Congress Ambassadors Program fall in line with DBE’s overall commitment to elevate local entities and help enhance their global networks. These partnerships, according to DBE, also serve as a mutually beneficial relationship to DBE and member partners, offering knowledge sharing and networking opportunities, in addition to driving new event bids and attracting international business events to the city.
With the presence and involvement of locally based experts and key opinion leaders being critical to bidding for and winning international conferences, DBE will work with teams at the partnering organizations to identify events that could be brought to Dubai and to collaborate with them on the bidding process and ultimately provide assistance in hosting them and ensuring they leave lasting legacies for all involved parties.
The entities to have signed the MOUs are Dubai Customs, Arab Association of Petroleum Professionals, Emirates Nursing Association and Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Science. Meanwhile, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers – UAE Section, Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government and RIT University in Dubai have all renewed their MOUs with Dubai Business Events.
Dubai Launches “Dubai Assured” Stamp for Tourism and Retail Establishments
Dubai has launched a compliance program to certify and recognize hotels and retail establishments, F&B outlets and attractions that have implemented all public health protocols for the prevention and management of COVID-19. The initiative is part of efforts to showcase Dubai as one of the world’s safest destinations as it continues to receive tourists following the city’s reopening to international visitors on July 7.
A verification and validation process has been established in collaboration with the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), Department of Economic Development (Dubai Economy) and Dubai Municipality for issuing the “Dubai Assured” stamp to businesses that have complied with health and safety guidelines.
The stamp, to be issued free of charge, will have a validity of 15 days and can be renewed every two weeks upon further verification by inspectors from the relevant authorities. With the reopening of many public and private facilities and amenities, including beaches, shopping malls, restaurants, swimming pools and golf courses, and the resumption of popular activities like water sports and camping, the “Dubai Assured” program will cover all tourism touchpoints across the city. Over 1,000 establishments have already been inspected for compliance.
According to a survey by global consulting firm HVS on future destination selection, 85 percent of travelers will priorities their travel plans based on the destination’s reputation and the action taken by its government in managing the pandemic including safety and security measures and the quality of the healthcare system and services.
Further, Dubai hotels have deployed stringent disinfection measures covering contact points in lobbies and other areas, such as restaurants and swimming pools. Entrances have been fitted with equipment for contactless screening of guests, while mall operators are using advanced technology to minimize risks, including use of thermal scanners and cameras to monitor traffic at entry points. Public parks and beaches under Dubai Municipality have reopened with strict guidelines for visitors and restaurants are allowed to serve guests with reduced seating arrangements and the enforcement of a distance of two meters between tables.
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