Dubai: The UAE has made a significant leap in the Global Competitiveness Index, advancing from 10th to 7th place. This achievement underscores the country’s continuous efforts in enhancing government efficiency, education, innovation, and other key sectors.
The Global Competitiveness Report, issued by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Switzerland, evaluates countries based on four main pillars and 20 sub-pillars, covering 336 competitive indicators. These include government efficiency, economic performance, business efficiency, and infrastructure.
Key Highlights of UAE’s Performance:
- 2nd globally in Economic Performance
- 4th in Government Efficiency
- 10th in Business Efficiency
The UAE has excelled in areas such as aviation, energy infrastructure, quality of scientific graduates, startup procedures, and the employment of highly skilled foreign professionals.
Leadership Acknowledgment
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, expressed his gratitude to the teams contributing to the country’s progress. He emphasized the UAE’s commitment to maintaining its upward trajectory under the leadership of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
In a statement on the X platform, Sheikh Mohammed said, “The UAE has made a spectacular leap, advancing three international positions to reach 7th place globally, according to one of the most important country competitiveness reports issued by the IMD Business School in Switzerland.” He added, “We are truly grateful to all the hard-working teams in all government, economic, and development sectors who work with one spirit. Together, we are making great strides towards the advancement and progress of the UAE. The future is even brighter, God willing!”
Dubai’s Family-Friendly Appeal
A survey by the Dubai Economy and Tourism Department revealed that 80% of the 17 million visitors to Dubai last year were couples or family members. This marks the largest group visit in the past five years, with a 74% increase in the number of family and couple visitors compared to 2019.
Dubai continues to be a top destination for travelers, consistently ranking high on many travelers’ “bucket lists.” On average, international visitors spend 13.8 days in Dubai, with 20% returning more than once a year. The survey also noted that 8% of visitors traveled to Dubai for business, highlighting its growing status as a commercial hub.
Dubai Mall Tops Tourist Visits
Dubai Mall was the most visited location by international tourists in Dubai last year. An impressive 99% of visitors included the mall in their itinerary, with the Dubai Fountain being the main attraction. Burj Khalifa drew 40% of tourists, while Dubai Frame at Zabeel Park attracted 36%. All visitors expressed happiness and satisfaction with their stay in Dubai, and 93% of those who stayed in five-star hotels reported being satisfied. The average daily hotel stay cost in Dubai was AED 643, a 7% increase from the previous year, where the average was AED 535.
Growing Tourist Influx in Dubai
In January, Dubai welcomed 1.077 million international tourists, a 21% increase compared to the 1.047 million tourists in January 2023. Most of these visitors were from Europe (327,000), followed by GCC countries (311,000), and Asian countries including India (294,000). Russia followed on the list. By the end of January, Dubai had over 150,000 hotel rooms across 823 hotels, compared to 147,000 rooms across 809 hotels in January 2023. January also saw an 83% hotel occupancy rate, up from 80% in January 2023.
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