Kite surfers fill the sky as people go to the beach in Jumeirah, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Kite surfers fill the sky as people go to the beach in Jumeirah, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Kite surfers fill the sky as people go to the beach in Jumeirah, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Kite surfers fill the sky as people go to the beach in Jumeirah, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Dubai given safe tourism stamp of approval amid global pandemic


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Dubai has been awarded a global safety and hygiene stamp by the World Travel & Tourism Council to show the UAE's commitment to reopening its tourism sector as it recovers from the coronavirus outbreak.
The WTTC, a council that represents private-sector travel and tourism, created the Safe Travels stamp to allow tourists to identify destinations and businesses around the world that have adopted the global standardised health and hygiene protocols.

The stamp provides guidance to travel providers and travellers about the new approach to health, hygiene, deep cleansing and physical distancing, in the "new normal" of a post-Covid-19 world.
The protocols were devised following the experience of WTTC members dealing with Covid-19 and based on guidelines from the World Health Organisation and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and control.
The United Nations World Tourism Organisation has welcomed the WTTC Safe Travels stamp, which makes the safety and hygiene of travellers a top priority.

“As we reopen Dubai’s doors to tourism and welcome our international visitors back to the city, our foremost priority is their well-being, achieved through stringent hygiene and safety protocols that have been deployed across all tourist touch points,” Helal Saeed Almarri, director general, Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) said.

  • An aerial view of the Burj Khalifa skyscraper, the tallest building in the world, in Dubai. Dubai expects a rebound in tourism in 2020. All Photos by AFP
    An aerial view of the Burj Khalifa skyscraper, the tallest building in the world, in Dubai. Dubai expects a rebound in tourism in 2020. All Photos by AFP
  • An aerial view of the Atlantis The Palm.
    An aerial view of the Atlantis The Palm.
  • The Palm Jumeirah archipelago off Dubai.
    The Palm Jumeirah archipelago off Dubai.
  • The Burj Al Arab.
    The Burj Al Arab.
  • The Dubai Frame landmark.
    The Dubai Frame landmark.
  • An aerial view of Sheikh Zayed Road.
    An aerial view of Sheikh Zayed Road.
  • The Ras al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary and the Dubai Creek in the foreground.
    The Ras al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary and the Dubai Creek in the foreground.
  • Parked Emirates planes on the tarmac at Dubai International Airport.
    Parked Emirates planes on the tarmac at Dubai International Airport.
  • Sheikh Zayed Road.
    Sheikh Zayed Road.
  • Dubai Marina.
    Dubai Marina.
  • Ain Dubai.
    Ain Dubai.
  • On July 7, Dubai allowed international holiday-makers to resume air travel.
    On July 7, Dubai allowed international holiday-makers to resume air travel.

"The WTTC's Safe Travels stamp endorses Dubai's strong global co-operation in combating the pandemic with comprehensive and effective measures to ensure guest health and safety.
"We trust that our efforts not only provide an optimised experience for our visitors, but also secure their health and that of their families, further cementing the confidence that our guests have had thus far in Dubai, and encouraging people from every corner of the world to visit one of the safest cities in the world this summer."

The UAE has been praised for its coronavirus response. A survey by the Deep Knowledge Group, a consortium of technology companies and non-profit organisations, last month ranked the Emirates as 11th on the list in its responses to the pandemic.

Costa Rica, Indonesia, Rwanda, Tobago and Tanzania are also among the latest recipients of the health and safety stamp.

The growing list of endorsements has come from many major holiday and city destinations around the world, such as Sharjah as well Malaga in Spain, which joins the growing list of Spanish destinations including Alicante and Benidorm.

Gloria Guevara, WTTC president and chief executive, said: “Our Safe Travels stamp is proving a great success and we are delighted to see even more popular countries and destinations adopt our global health and hygiene protocols.

“The success of the WTTC Safe Travels stamp shows its importance not only to countries and destinations, but also crucially to travellers and the 330 million people around the world who work in and depend on the travel and tourism sector.

“The stamp is a critical step in re-establishing consumer confidence in travel and tourism and ensuring travellers can rest easy knowing that enhanced standards of hygiene are in place and they can once again experience ‘safe travels’.”

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The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000. 

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Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.

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Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill

Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
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Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.

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Engine: 2x201bhp AC Permanent-magnetic electric

Transmission: n/a

Power: 402bhp

Torque: 659Nm

Price estimate: Dh200,000

On sale: Q3 2022 

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