Dubai is the most popular travel desintation on TikTok, according to a new study. Reuters
Dubai is the most popular travel desintation on TikTok, according to a new study. Reuters
Dubai is the most popular travel desintation on TikTok, according to a new study. Reuters
Dubai is the most popular travel desintation on TikTok, according to a new study. Reuters

Dubai named the most viewed travel destination on TikTok


Sophie Prideaux
  • English
  • Arabic

Dubai has been named the most viewed travel destination on TikTok, amassing more than 92 billion views on the video sharing app.

The emirate came out on top in a list of global travel destinations, put together by website airportparkingreservations.com.

The data looked at the number of views for major global cities, with Dubai coming out way in front. Researchers credited the city’s legion of attractions, such as Burj Khalifa and Atlantis, The Palm, as making it a content hotspot.

People enjoying the fountain show in Dubai at night. Alamy
People enjoying the fountain show in Dubai at night. Alamy

Barcelona came in second with 61.3 billion views, helped by tourist hotspots including Basilica de la Sagrada Familia and Camp Nou stadium, home of Barcelona FC.

Coming in third place was UK capital London, with 42.7 billion TikTok views. The city’s art and culture landmarks and museums proved to be content hotspots, as well as its architecture, parks and green spaces.

However, London came out on top with Instagram users, with more than 158 million posts tagging the destination on the social media site.

The broader study looked to focus specifically on cities that are popular with Gen Z travellers, and took in several other factors aside from social media views to give cities an overall global ranking, including safety rating, Google search volume, attractions and restaurants per 100,000 people and hostels.

Dubai ranked in third place overall, with a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Barcelona came just ahead with 7.26, and London being named the overall the best city for Gen Z travellers. Paris and Amsterdam rounded out the top five. Prague, Berlin, Rome, Milan and Bangkok made up the top 10.

It is not the first time Dubai has performed favourably in travel lists in 2022. In July, it was named as the most popular city break destination in the world by hotel chain Premier Inn.

The emirate was coveted for its “glorious sunshine and glistening, luxurious lifestyle”, and was the number one choice for travellers from 21 countries.

Some of Dubai's most popular tourist destinations — in pictures

  • The Museum of the Future, with its remarkable architecture, has quickly become a highlight for visitors to Dubai. Photo: DTCM
    The Museum of the Future, with its remarkable architecture, has quickly become a highlight for visitors to Dubai. Photo: DTCM
  • The Wild Wadi Waterpark in Jumeirah is one of the attractions that make Dubai a family-friendly destination. Photo: Wild Wadi
    The Wild Wadi Waterpark in Jumeirah is one of the attractions that make Dubai a family-friendly destination. Photo: Wild Wadi
  • The shops, cafes, bars and restaurants along Jumeirah Beach Residence in Dubai are popular among tourists. Photo: Reuters
    The shops, cafes, bars and restaurants along Jumeirah Beach Residence in Dubai are popular among tourists. Photo: Reuters
  • A jump at Skydive Dubai has become a must-do for daredevil visitors. Photo: Skydive Dubai
    A jump at Skydive Dubai has become a must-do for daredevil visitors. Photo: Skydive Dubai
  • Admirers will say that the Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world at about 830 metres, is Dubai's most famous tourist attraction. Photo: Dar Al Arkan
    Admirers will say that the Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world at about 830 metres, is Dubai's most famous tourist attraction. Photo: Dar Al Arkan
  • Visitors can enjoy an almost immersive experience of water and light at the Dubai Fountain. Photo: Alamy
    Visitors can enjoy an almost immersive experience of water and light at the Dubai Fountain. Photo: Alamy
  • A visit to Dubai often involves a trip to Al Fahidi Fort, with its dhow installation to celebrate the Gulf's maritime history. Photo: Alamy
    A visit to Dubai often involves a trip to Al Fahidi Fort, with its dhow installation to celebrate the Gulf's maritime history. Photo: Alamy
  • The ski lift at Ski Dubai inside the Mall of the Emirates. With its 22,500 square metres of skiiing, the centre is arguably one of the Gulf region's most eye-catching and unexpected attractions. Photo: AP
    The ski lift at Ski Dubai inside the Mall of the Emirates. With its 22,500 square metres of skiiing, the centre is arguably one of the Gulf region's most eye-catching and unexpected attractions. Photo: AP
  • Bluewaters Island, where the Ain Dubai wheel is located. Photo: Reuters
    Bluewaters Island, where the Ain Dubai wheel is located. Photo: Reuters
  • One of the pods on the Ain Dubai that offer visitors sweeping views of the city and Arabian Gulf waters. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    One of the pods on the Ain Dubai that offer visitors sweeping views of the city and Arabian Gulf waters. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The Ain Dubai lights up. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The Ain Dubai lights up. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The Lost Chambers Aquarium at Atlantis, The Palm. Photo: Atlantis, The Palm
    The Lost Chambers Aquarium at Atlantis, The Palm. Photo: Atlantis, The Palm
The specs

Engine: Turbocharged four-cylinder 2.7-litre

Power: 325hp

Torque: 500Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh189,700

On sale: now

Results

2.30pm: Park Avenue – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 2,000m; Winner: Rb Seqondtonone, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)

3.05pm: Al Furjan – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Bosphorus, Dane O’Neill, Bhupat Seemar

3.40pm: Mina – Rated Condition (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Royal Mews, Tadhg O’Shea, Bhupat Seemar

4.15pm: Aliyah – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,900m; Winner: Ursa Minor, Ray Dawson, Ahmad bin Harmash

4.50pm: Riviera Beach – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 2,200m; Winner: Woodditton, Saif Al Balushi, Ahmad bin Harmash

5.25pm: Riviera – Handicap (TB) Dh2,000 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Al Madhar, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi

6pm: Creek Views – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Al Salt, Dane O’Neill, Erwan Charpy

What are the influencer academy modules?
  1. Mastery of audio-visual content creation. 
  2. Cinematography, shots and movement.
  3. All aspects of post-production.
  4. Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
  5. Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
  6. Tourism industry knowledge.
  7. Professional ethics.
Why it pays to compare

A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.

Route 1: bank transfer

The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.

Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount

Total received: €4,670.30 

Route 2: online platform

The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.

Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction

Total received: €4,756

The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.

Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

Updated: November 23, 2022, 1:29 PM