Over 1,800 holiday homes now in operation across Dubai says DTCM with sector set to grow further

Dubai’s holiday home sector is going from strength to strength, with the latest figures released by Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) revealing a total of 1,805 approved units to date, benefitting both homeowners and visitors to Dubai. This growth is being driven by effective government regulations designed to increase competitiveness, transparency, safety and standardisation, and comes on the back of Dubai Tourism’s decision earlier this year to allow private homeowners to apply for a holiday home permit and start leasing their properties directly.

In the short time since the introduction of updated regulations in May, a total of 109 homeowners submitted applications for a holiday home permit, of which 39 have now been approved, enabling them to enter the market. These join the 78 approved holiday home operators already doing business in Dubai, moving forward, Dubai Tourism anticipates further growth across the sector.

To obtain a licence, homeowners must ensure their property meets the required quality, health and safety standards, while also offering all necessary amenities and guest services, as well as insurance coverage and wider community integration. Owners are also accountable for ensuring the property meets all legislative requirements and complaint management policies, and is accurately listed to visitors and sufficiently maintained.

Khalid Bin Touq, Executive Director, Tourism Activities and Classification Sector, Dubai Tourism said: “To maintain standards, Dubai Tourism regularly inspects registered homes, which are classified as either ‘standard’ or ‘deluxe’ depending on their offering. At present, 83 per cent of the more than 1,800 approved holiday homes are rated standard and 17 per cent deluxe. Units are spread across the city, with the highest concentrations currently in Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach and Downtown Dubai.”

Dubai Tourism inspections ensure that holiday homes are standardised, home owners that do not comply with regulatory demands may be issued with penalties. Dubai’s holiday home initiatives are part of the emirate’s objectives to further diversify and increase its hospitality offering in line with its Tourism Vision to attract 20 million visitors per year by 2020. Holiday homes also complement the positive growth trends in the city’s wider hotel and hotel apartment segment, catering to diversifying traveller demographics and needs, and ensuring Dubai provides accommodation options to suit all types of visitor.

Homeowners wishing to rent their units as holiday homes should register on the Holiday Homes website, https://hh.dtcm.gov.ae

About Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism)

With the ultimate vision of positioning Dubai as the world’s leading tourism destination and commercial hub, Dubai Tourism’s mission is to increase the awareness of Dubai among global audiences and to attract tourists and inward investment into the emirate.

Dubai Tourism is the principal authority for the planning, supervision, development and marketing of Dubai’s tourism sector. It markets and promotes the Emirate’s commerce sector, and is responsible for the licensing and classification of all tourism services, including hotels, tour operators and travel agents. Brands and departments within the Dubai Tourism portfolio include Dubai Convention and Events Bureau, Dubai Calendar, and Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (formerly known as Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment). In addition to its headquarters in Dubai, Dubai Tourism operates 20 offices worldwide.