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To leverage Dubai’s status as a transit hub, industry stakeholders are working hand-in-hand.

As Mitchell revealed, Premier Inn Middle East for example teamed up with destination management companies (DMC), airline stopover programmes as well as airport counters in a bid to capture transit demand.

“Additional offerings like 24-hour check-in and short stay or day use rates help attract [these] people,” explained Mitchell.

Likewise, Mathew revealed that Millennium Plaza Hotel Dubai’s management joined forces with some of the biggest names, including dnata, Emirates Holidays and Arabian Adventures to boost stopover business.

According to Abdulla Al Shammar, managing director, Central Hotels, there is a lot of opportunity to convert travellers from long connecting flights into overnight guests by promoting exclusive bundled offers, enticing them with half-day rates and tailor-made packages that best suit their schedule.

As Dubai continues to enhance and diversify its tourism product, further developments are expected on this front, indicated Deininger, saying that the emirate’s expanding budget accommodation options and public transport system are set to give a major boost to this trend.

To achieve this, El Hayek called for even closer and more sufficient collaboration among airports, the aviation sector in general, hotels, destination management companies and tour operators.
“A special permission intended for stopovers should then be intensively implemented to create a relaxing, enjoyable and fun experience,” supported El Hayek.

Arora concurred, saying that suitable services and programmes, and, nevertheless, flexibility from both airlines as well as immigration authorities, are paramount in attracting this high-potential segment.

As Arora further noted, Dubai’s promotion as a stopover destination helps raise awareness, especially among first-time visitors who have previously not travelled to the region.

“It breaks the stereotypes about the Middle East when they see the modern airport and get a glimpse of the skyline,” concluded Arora. “This helps attract return visitors because people who have not had initial plans to visit Dubai will be enticed to come back to fully experience the emirate.”