Strategy 2015

Travel and Tourism is a key strategic thrust area of the 2015 Plan and is one of the six vertical building blocks. It is a globally fast growing industry where Dubai has a strong position. However, the strategic plan clearly states that sustainable growth will not be possible unless the horizontal enablers are addressed in parallel. Enablers such as human capital, productivity, innovation, cost of doing business, quality of life, economic policy, institutional framework and laws and regulations.

DTCM plays a key role in developing and building each of these enablers related to the travel & tourism industry.


  • Human capital: as part of its vision and mission and in line with Dubai’s 2015 strategy, DTCM established Training Solutions a centre for excellence to develop world-class human resources at all levels of the travel and tourism industry in the emirates – from training programs for tour guides and concierges to certification for general managers and owner-operators, staff in F&B, housekeeping and even vendors to the industry. DTCM has exclusive programs to induct and train UAE nationals into the travel and tourism industry.

  • Institutional framework: DTCM is the principal authority for planning and supervising the development of the tourism sector. It is responsible for the classification of hotels, hotel apartments and guesthouses in the emirate. This is to ensure international standards and high levels of customer satisfaction with regards to visitor’s accommodation. Additionally, DTCM provides guidelines with regards to special needs tourism and green tourism among others

  • Laws and regulations: DTCM is responsible for administrative tasks related to the issuance of tourism licenses, follow-up with the licensing procedures comprising preliminary approvals, renewal, amendment and cancellation. It is also responsible for administrative tasks related to the issuance of permanent/temporary tourism activity permits, follow-ups and inspections of such authorized activities to ensure their compliance with the laws and regulations implemented in Dubai.

  • Productivity: DTCM employs highly sophisticated technology and a range of e-services to manage its business and its response to customers and vendors.

  • Innovation: DTCM has been constantly striving to innovate from its new Tourism Portal www.definitelydubai.com to introducing training courses for the industry in collaboration with professionals. It also conducts unique inward and outward missions to promote Dubai’s tourism and commerce industry.