'Tourism Dirham' in Dubai hotels from March 31

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, has issued the Council’s resolution No. (2) of 2014,  regarding the introduction of the ‘Tourism Dirham’.

The Tourism Dirham is a minimal charge to be applied to guests staying in all genres and rating of holiday accommodation including hotels; hotel apartments; guesthouses; and holiday homes.

The move is based on global benchmarking and funds raised will support the international promotion and marketing of the Emirate and drive growth of its tourism and trade industries.

This minimal charge will vary between Dh7 to Dh20 per room, per night, dependant on the hotel category and rating, and will be applicable from March 31st 2014.

The measure will help strengthen Dubai’s position as a leading tourist destination, bringing the Emirate in line with international industry standards. Such tourism fees are charged in several leading tourist destinations around the world.

Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, commented: "The introduction of the Tourism Dirham will support ‘Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing’, helping to ensure our continued competitiveness on the global stage which will be reflected positively on the growth of two of our economic pillars - trade and tourism.”

The establishment of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing was announced on 26th January 2014.

The new Corporation is an affiliate of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and will focus on the international promotion and marketing of Dubai. Areas of responsibility of DTCM include the planning, development, supervision and regulation of the tourism industry.

Hamdan chairs Expo 2020 Higher Committee

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, yesterday afternoon chaired the first preparatory meeting of Higher Committee of Dubai Expo 2020 at Emirates Towers.

The meeting was attended by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Emirates Group and Chairman of Higher Committee of Dubai Expo 2020, Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimi, Minister of State and Managing Director of the Higher Committee for Hosting the World Expo 2020and other senior officials.

The Crown Prince of Dubai welcomed Sheikh Sultan noting that the Authority is one of the official institutions that backs the efforts of the Higher Committee of Dubai Expo 2020. He also welcomed Khalid Ghanem Al Ghaith, Assistant Foreign Minister for Economic Affairs, representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), noting that the MoFA's huge efforts had helped the UAE won the international support to host Expo 2020.

He cited the successful contacts conducted by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, before the voting, adding that the national personalities and institutions, and chairman of the Higher Committee of Dubai Expo 2020 were all behind the success scored by the UAE to host the world event by 2020.

Sheikh Hamdan said that all would work with team work spirit and self denial to make the event a success, referring to the initiatives and directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in this respect.

Hind Al Shamsi, official spokesperson of the Dubai Expo 2020, presented a demonstration on the voting process in which the UAE won 116 votes out of 167 votes in Paris.

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