Dubai has established itself as a leading destination for food tourism and one of the world’s fastest-growing gastronomy capitals in 2024, according to the third annual Dubai Gastronomy Industry Report issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.
The report documents key developments in the emirate’s food and restaurant sector, including the issuance of 1,200 new restaurant licences across various categories and cuisines, reflecting the city’s multicultural identity.
A survey conducted among food enthusiasts in the city during September and October 2024 revealed customer satisfaction reached 62 per cent, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) said in a statement.
Dubai issues 1,200 new restaurant licences as culinary sector booms
The report, which included responses from more than 1,100 participants across various demographic groups, showed high satisfaction levels based on key factors residents consider when selecting dining venues.
These factors included variety (70 per cent satisfaction, up 3 per cent from the previous edition), innovation (61 per cent, up 2 per cent), cultural heritage (58 per cent, up 1 per cent), and world-class chefs (64 per cent, up 2 per cent).
“Dubai’s food and restaurant sector is a key pillar of the emirate’s tourism strategy and ambitious vision, and its continued growth reflects the wise leadership’s vision to achieve the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to make the emirate the best city in the world to live, work and visit,” Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment at the Department of Economy and Tourism said.
“The 2024 Gastronomy Industry Report reaffirms Dubai’s leading position as a global centre for gastronomy and culinary arts and highlights the diversity of its food offerings and unique restaurant concepts inspired by around 200 nationalities residing in Dubai,” he added.
The Dubai International Brand Tracker positioned the emirate second globally after Paris as a leading capital for food, restaurants, and culinary arts in the first half of 2024, surpassing London, New York, and Tokyo.
The city ranked first for variety of dining experiences offered, ahead of Paris and Singapore.
Social media continues to influence dining choices, with 70 per cent of restaurant-goers in the UAE seeking recommendations from these platforms before selecting a restaurant.
Hygiene tops list of priorities for Dubai restaurant-goers, survey finds
Hygiene emerged as the most important factor for the emirate residents when choosing where to dine, with 50 per cent of respondents citing it as their top consideration.
This was followed by cuisine type (49 per cent), general ambiance (43 per cent), service quality (42 per cent), and value for money (38 per cent).
Online reviews have become increasingly influential in restaurant selection, affecting both everyday meal choices (27 per cent) and special occasions (34 per cent).
Google data recorded 741,500 online searches related to the city’s food and beverage offerings during the first seven months of 2024, representing a 23.5 per cent increase compared to 600,500 searches during the same period in 2023.
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