The Impact of Dubai Loosening Up on Alcohol to Boost Tourism May Have Its Limits
Photo Credit: An image inside the Hendricks Bar in Dubai. The city has reduced a tax on alcohol as part in attempt to help make the city more attractive to tourists. Flickr / Trey Ratcliff
Skift Take
Although other destinations in the Middle East and North Africa may not consider making more alcohol accessible as a key part of their tourism strategies, they'll surely notice if it helps Dubai boosts visitor numbers.
Dubai recently suspended a 30 percent tax on alcohol and removed fees for personal alcohol licenses as part of its strategy to make the city more appealing for prospective visitors. Officials in Dubai believe those measures will help it reach its of goal of becoming the world's most popular tourist destination.
However, Dubai's moves haven't spurred its neighbors in the Middle East and North Africa with strict restrictions on alcohol to take similar steps. Other destinations in the region are looking at other ways to boost tourism without easing curbs on alcohol.
"Such a decrease in tax didn't change anything in the travel industry. As this happened in the (United Arab Emirates),
