Dubai: The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), in partnership with Google, has launched 'Map Your Dubai: Insider Edition', a new initiative designed to support the local food and beverage (F&B) sector.
The initiative invites Google Local Guides — a global community of users who contribute reviews and content on Google Maps — to curate and share their favourite lists of restaurants and cafés. These lists will subsequently be opened to public voting, aimed at increasing visibility and driving customer traffic to local businesses.
The programme was unveiled during a Breakfast Club event held at the Etihad Museum, attended by Ahmad Al Room Almheiri, CEO of the Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Dubai SME), along with senior officials, entrepreneurs and content creators from the regional food community.
Community-led discovery
The initiative forms part of 'From Dubai, For Dubai', a community-driven campaign led by DET to support local businesses and innovation. It encourages residents, visitors and content creators to discover and promote Dubai-based enterprises, while sharing authentic experiences that highlight the city’s diverse culinary landscape.
Through the initiative, Local Guides can create curated lists on Google Maps, showcasing hidden gems, neighbourhood favourites and unique dining experiences across the city.
The public has been invited to explore 11 curated lists through the official campaign platform and visit featured locations via Google Maps. Voting will open on 22 June and run until 6 July 2026, with winning contributors to be recognised across official social media channels.
Supporting local businesses
Anthony Nakache, Managing Director at Google MENA, said the initiative leverages community knowledge to support small and homegrown F&B businesses.
“Map Your Dubai: Insider Edition empowers Local Guides to transform their knowledge into a meaningful community movement. We aim to support businesses with tools to remain competitive and reach new audiences,” he said.
Ahmad Al Room Almheiri highlighted the initiative as a reflection of Dubai’s diverse and collaborative ecosystem.
He noted that the campaign builds on previous community storytelling initiatives, encouraging residents and visitors to actively contribute to shaping the city’s narrative.
Driving growth and visibility
The initiative is designed to translate digital engagement into tangible economic impact, by increasing exposure for local restaurants and cafés and encouraging more visitors to explore neighbourhood dining destinations.
By combining public-private collaboration, digital platforms and community voices, 'Map Your Dubai' reinforces Dubai’s position as a global gastronomy hub while supporting sustainable growth within the F&B sector.
The programme aligns with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which aims to enhance the competitiveness and resilience of local businesses through innovation and community participation.