Dubai wants to attract more repeat visitors

An aircraft flying over Dubai recently. The city has long thrived as a gateway for transfer travellers connecting between global destinations. — AFP

Dubai in the United Arab Emirates is looking to add more airline capacity and is betting on a new visa that facilitates return trips to attract more visitors, as it shifts its focus from serving as a transfer hub and short-term destination.

Among the regions the city is targeting is Africa, with Dubai flagship carrier Emirates announcing that it’s reinstating its service to Nigeria from Oct 1. Dubai is also seeking to market itself as a year-round destination, touting sports like padel – a popular cross between tennis and squash – and indoor shopping to overcome its image as an unbearably hot place best avoided in summer.