Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has launched the inaugural Dubai Gastronomy Industry Report, a reflection of the growing importance food plays in Dubai tourism, along with the wider developments in the industry, including the launch of Gault&Millau UAE.
The report confirms the spending habits of Dubai residents; global sentiment towards Dubai F&B; government initiatives around localisation and inclusion; and the upcoming calendar for future gastronomic events.
The report will be released annually.
Backed by data, the inaugural report uses information from four different DET studies and sources.
They are as follows:
Dubai dining experience [online reviews]
DET leveraged “cutting edge deep learning” to zoom into specific granular topics and the sentiment they were expressed in thousands upon thousands of online reviews left by diners.
Dubai international visitors survey [DIVS]
Most visitor descriptive data in this report come from Dubai International Visitors Survey [DIVS] which is an ongoing survey that covers a sample of approximately 60,000 visitors a year, to analyse changes in traveller profiles and behaviours that impact levels of destination affinity, brand perception, and economic contribution of international tourists in Dubai. DIVS is a 20-minute, face-to-face digital survey, administered routinely, across key tourist catchments across the city. Locations include airports and tourist attraction zones, for example, malls, entertainment areas, in-city leisure attractions and so on.
Dubai brand health tracker [BHT]
Online interviews are conducted via panels in key source markets and emerging potential markets for Dubai to check the current imagery of Dubai among potential travel candidates, their motivations and barriers if any to travel to the emirate. The survey is currently run twice a year with 23 markets at covering 16,000 respondents in its last run in H1 2022. Qualifying respondents for the 20-minute survey need to be at least 18 years, have flown an international trip by air in the last 36 months, have a say in the decision-making while selecting a holiday destination and have been residing in the country for at least two years.
Gastronomy ‘Always On’ study
The research also taps into insights from a total of 3,000 interviews with UAE residents across two waves in early 2022.
The findings
Firstly, the report confirms Dubai currently has 13,000 restaurants and cafes.
A survey of a number of residents to evaluate their perception of Dubai as an international foodie destination showed that over 55 percent of respondents ranked Dubai as the number one global gastronomy hub followed by London and New York.
The survey also highlighted that 52 percent of residents in the city dine out up to three times per week. The city also ranks second in categories such as world-class chefs, fine dining and service at restaurants, ahead of New York, London, Singapore and Istanbul.
The report also points out that 72.2 percent of international visitors said they are happy with the overall quality of food they ate in Dubai and the restaurants they dined in.
Citing data from JLL as well, DET said that 80 percent of the 340 fine dining restaurants in the UAE in Dubai. JLL did not qualify what defines a fine dining restaurant, but it did say “this proportion is largely due to demand for fine dining options from international visitors to the city that also drive demand for casual dining and social – drinking options, underlining the expansive range and richness of brands offering such experiences across Dubai.”
Gastronomy report mentions diversity and inclusion
In addition, the Dubai College of Tourism (DCT) and DET will introduce a new initiative in 2022, focused on creating opportunities for people of determination to enter the hospitality and F&B industry. This will be delivered via various activities including creating opportunities for people of determination to undertake workplace training and internships, collaborating with restaurants and chefs, in addition to encouraging restaurants to communicate their inclusivity plans through their platforms.
The significance of the first-ever gastronomy report
Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) commented: “We are proud that Dubai’s ever-expanding gastronomy industry continues to have a positive impact on the growth of food tourism globally, as inspired by the vision of His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai to further enhance Dubai’s position as a global liveability hub. Dubai’s unique and diverse gastronomy scene is comprised of a plethora of home-grown eateries, fine dining institutions and neighbourhood favourites, which together represent Dubai’s dynamic epicurean scene.
“Dubai brings together the culture and heritage of more than 200 different nationalities at tables and within restaurants across the city and we are pleased that the emirate is gaining further recognition as a globally renowned epicurean destination transforming food tourism, as revealed in our report that we have just launched. It is a one-of-a-kind comprehensive study that provides significant insights and information related to the city’s growing gastronomy sector.
“Its continued success is evident in the findings set out in the report including high satisfaction scores across key aspects of the gastronomy offering, in addition to a marked improvement in food choices and the overall restaurant experience for residents and visitors.”
