How the Dubai World Cup boosts the UAE tourism numbers
The Dubai World Cup, one of the emirate's biggest events in the calendar, continues to be a boon to the city's luxury tourism. From hotels to restaurants, the city comes alive for the world's richest race day that attracts people from across the UAE and the globe.
'The Dubai World Cup has significantly enhanced Dubai's global profile and bolstered its tourism sector. In 2011, the event recorded an unprecedented attendance of over 81,000 spectators at Meydan Grandstand, underscoring its immense popularity,' said Abhishek Dadlani, founder of Lushescapes.
'By 2015, Frank Gabriel Jr, vice-president of racing for the Dubai Racing Club, noted that the Dubai World Cup had contributed to a 30 per cent increase in tourism to the emirate.' Dadlani said the Dubai World Cup provides visitors with a unique opportunity to experience the emirate and dive into the rich history of equestrianism, which has become such a strong component of Emirati heritage and culture.
'At Lushescapes, we've seen a growing demand for unique, immersive experiences around elite global events, with the Dubai World Cup being one of them. Travellers today seek more than just a destination; they want meticulously curated journeys that combine luxury, exclusivity, and cultural depth,' he said.
Sports tourism now plays a crucial role in Dubai's economy, with marquee events like the Dubai World Cup, DP World Tour Championship, Dubai Desert Classic and the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships driving significant international interest.
'These events attract high-spending visitors who contribute directly to various sectors, from luxury hotels seeing increased bookings for premium suites to high-end retail benefiting from race-day fashion and exclusive shopping experiences,' said Dadlani, who said visitors are looking for high-end, luxury experiences.
'The transportation sector also experiences a surge, with greater demand for private chauffeur services, luxury car rentals, and even helicopter transfers. Dubai's ability to host world-class sporting events has solidified its position as a premier destination for luxury sports tourism, ensuring that every major event delivers economic value across multiple industries.'
While horse racing has long been associated with elite circles, the Dubai World Cup has evolved to attract a broader audience. International performances by artistes like Seal, Jennifer Lopez, and Kylie Minogue have further broadened its reach, making it a cultural event that draws a diverse crowd, from luxury travellers to casual spectators.
'While it remains a highlight for high-net-worth individuals, corporate guests, and racing enthusiasts, its appeal has expanded through world-class entertainment, fine dining experiences, and exclusive hospitality offerings,' said Dadlani.
Far beyond the race day itself, the event spurs a whole wealth of travel experiences from visitors to the emirate. Reflecting the importance for tour operators, Arabian Adventures has curated a bespoke, five-night package of VIP experiences to cater to visitors.
The 'Premium Guest Experience' includes access to a private suite for the race day overlooking the Home Straight turn for amazing views, with visitors enjoying premium beverages and food, and a premium Chauffeur Drive to the Meydan Racecourse to arrive at the headline race in style.
Other VIP experiences include an evening dinner with a trainer and jockey, private tours of the Parade Ring and Meydan Stables, a night of premium desert dining at The Veuve Clicquot Desert Experience by Arabian Adventures, and a helicopter tour of Dubai.
'The Dubai World Cup is one of the city's most sought-after and glamorous annual sporting events. Interest in the Dubai World Cup is growing annually from a diverse range of markets. This year, we can see ticket and package sales from the UK, Europe, and the Far East,' said Anabela Radosevic, manager, sales and services at Arabian Adventures. 'We work closely with specialised travel trade partners focused on horse racing, from whom we can see an increase in both individual and group travel. Visiting the Dubai World Cup provides a unique insight into the city's luxury travel and events offering.'
The event, according to Matthew Vlemmiks, leisure manager at dnata Travel, is also becoming more global as the number of international visitors is fast catching up with the domestic market.
'For the Dubai World Cup this year, we are seeing demand for tickets from a variety of markets, with a current split of 46 per cent of sales from international customers and 54 per cent for the UAE-based clients,' Vlemmiks said.
Emirates Airline has been a pivotal player in bringing fans and competitors from around the world to the event, which has flourished from its humble beginnings in the 1990s at Nad Al Sheba.
'Since its inception in 1996, the Dubai World Cup (DWC) has played an instrumental role in establishing Dubai as a prominent destination in the sporting and horseracing world. Today, it ranks among the top five horse races globally and is a highlight of Dubai's annual social calendar,' said Adnan Kazim, Emirates' deputy president and chief commercial officer.
He said Emirates, which has been a sponsor of the event for almost three decades, has flown hundreds of thousands of racegoers in addition to owners, specialists and suppliers, and not least, the highly prized horses.
'Over the years, the event has attracted millions of racing fans from across the world, drawing them to Dubai to experience everything our city has to offer,' Kazim said. 'It has had a significant impact on Dubai, helping position the city as a prime destination for world-class events.'
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