Overview
The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism was formed through the merger of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing and the Department of Economic Development, creating an integrated entity that oversees both the regulatory environment for business and the strategic promotion of Dubai as a global destination. This consolidation reflects the recognition that tourism and economic development are deeply interconnected in Dubai’s economic model.
DET’s mandate encompasses business licensing and regulation, tourism marketing and destination management, foreign direct investment attraction, consumer protection, and the development of policies that sustain Dubai’s competitiveness as a place to live, work, visit, and invest.
Strategic Role in UAE Vision 2031
DET is the primary institutional driver of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which sets ambitious targets for doubling the size of Dubai’s economy and establishing the emirate among the top three global economic cities by 2033. The department’s dual focus on economic regulation and tourism promotion positions it to coordinate the cross-cutting initiatives required to achieve these targets.
Tourism is one of Dubai’s most important economic sectors, contributing directly to GDP, employment, and government revenue. DET’s marketing campaigns, destination development initiatives, and events strategy are designed to sustain and grow Dubai’s visitor numbers while increasing per-visitor spending and diversifying source markets. Simultaneously, the department’s economic development mandate ensures that the regulatory environment supports business formation, foreign investment, and private sector growth across all sectors.
Tourism Marketing and Destination Management
DET operates one of the most sophisticated destination marketing operations in the world, promoting Dubai through global advertising campaigns, social media engagement, trade shows, and partnerships with airlines, hotels, and travel platforms. The department’s marketing strategy targets both leisure and business travelers, positioning Dubai as a year-round destination for everything from beach holidays and luxury retail to global conferences and cultural events.
The department also manages destination quality through the regulation of hotels, tourism operators, and tour guides. Classification systems, service standards, and inspection programs ensure that the visitor experience meets the expectations set by Dubai’s marketing messaging.
Business Regulation and Licensing
DET oversees the commercial licensing framework for the Emirate of Dubai, managing the registration and regulation of tens of thousands of businesses across all sectors. The department has implemented extensive reforms to simplify licensing processes, reduce establishment costs, and enable digital completion of regulatory transactions.
The introduction of the Dubai Instant Licence and the unification of commercial activity categories have significantly reduced the time and complexity involved in starting a business in Dubai. These reforms contribute to Dubai’s high rankings in global ease-of-doing-business assessments and support the emirate’s goal of attracting entrepreneurs and international companies.
Investment Attraction
DET actively promotes Dubai as a destination for foreign direct investment, coordinating with free zone authorities, government entities, and industry associations to attract multinational companies and investors. The department provides advisory services, facilitates introductions, and supports investors through the establishment process.
The investment promotion function is closely integrated with the tourism and business regulation mandates, ensuring that companies considering Dubai receive a comprehensive view of the market opportunity, regulatory environment, and quality of life that the emirate offers.
Events and MICE Strategy
Dubai’s events calendar is a critical component of its tourism and economic strategy. DET coordinates the emirate’s approach to major events, conferences, exhibitions, and sporting tournaments that drive visitor arrivals and generate global media exposure. The meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions sector represents a high-value segment of Dubai’s tourism economy.
The department works with venues, event organizers, and government entities to attract and host internationally significant events that reinforce Dubai’s brand positioning and contribute to the emirate’s economic targets.
Looking Ahead
As global tourism evolves in response to changing traveler preferences, sustainability expectations, and technology-driven experiences, DET’s ability to adapt Dubai’s tourism proposition and regulatory framework will be essential. The department’s integrated mandate gives it the institutional capacity to coordinate economic and tourism strategies in ways that few peer cities can match, supporting Dubai’s ambition to remain one of the world’s most dynamic and attractive economic destinations through 2031.