Children arriving at Dubai International Airport will now be able to stamp their own passports.
The new children-only platforms will be located in the arrivals hall in Terminal 3, Dubai's General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs said on Friday.
Young passengers wishing to stamp their own passports will be greeted by characters Salem and Salama, dressed as GDFRA employees.
The department said the initiative is designed to build friendship and make Dubai a “city for everyone”.
The announcement comes as Lt Gen Mohamed Al Marri, director general of GDFRA, and his team visited the airport on the first day of Eid Al Fitr.
During their visit, they watched children use the platform for the first time.
Dubai has seen a surge in the number of international visitors.
The emirate hosted 3.1 million visitors in the first two months of 2023, according to the latest data from Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism.
In January, the number of visitors increased by 50 per cent year-on-year and stood 9 per cent below the pre-pandemic levels recorded in 2019, an assessment by Emirates NBD showed.
And in February, Dubai’s tourism exceeded pre-pandemic levels, with 1.63 million visitors, up 7 per cent from 2019 and 35 per cent year-on-year.
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
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PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
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Syria Al Somah 85'
Australia Kruse 40'
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Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
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Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce
Size: 50 employees
Funding: approximately $6m
Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait
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Biog
Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara
He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada
Father of two sons, grandfather of six
Plays golf once a week
Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family
Walks for an hour every morning
Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India
2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business
