DET and Hilton have signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance Dubai's global visibility and support the hotel group with team member training and service optimization. The MoU establishes a collaborative framework focusing on joint marketing initiatives, including advertising campaigns to promote Dubai as a premier destination.
The partnership aims to create outstanding experiences for visitors and consolidate Dubai's position as a leading global city for business and leisure. Through the MoU, opportunities will arise to incorporate Dubai experiences into the Hilton Honors loyalty program, benefiting the program's more than 195 million members worldwide.
Guy Hutchinson, President, Middle East & Africa at Hilton, emphasized the importance of the strategic partnership in contributing towards making Dubai synonymous with hospitality excellence. The collaboration will leverage DET's training and capacity building, offered through the Dubai College of Tourism, to enhance team member skills in customer service and cultural awareness.
His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), highlighted Hilton's integral role in Dubai's tourism growth story and its contribution to the city's world-class hospitality offering. The MoU signed at DET's headquarters underscores the commitment to sharing expertise and elevating global visibility.
By August 2024, Dubai saw continuous growth in its tourism infrastructure, with 151,388 rooms in 824 hotel establishments compared to 148,593 rooms in 814 establishments in August 2023. The city welcomed 11.93 million international overnight visitors from January to August 2024, marking a 7.5% increase from the same period last year. The hotel industry achieved an impressive average occupancy rate of 76.2% during this period.
The partnership between DET and Hilton will lead to the development of innovative tourism products that showcase Dubai's unique attractions, integrating these experiences into seasonal packages to offer visitors authentic insights into the city. Both entities also look forward to participating in DET's training programs and workshops aimed at nurturing the next generation of hospitality professionals.
