A new QR Code programme for holiday homes in Dubai was introduced on Monday, according to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
The action is a part of the department’s efforts to boost confidence among investors and tourists in the short-term rental industry by increasing transparency.
The project closely reflects the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which is to cement further Dubai’s place as one of the top three cities on the planet. It also fits with Dubai’s digital transformation agenda, which aims to make the emirate a model smart city globally.
Holiday homeowners in Dubai will now be forced to post a QR code on the main entrances of their vacation homes as part of the project. Visitors and guests can scan this code to gain access to vital details about the owner of the holiday home and the pertinent DET contact information. The effort will also make it easier for the Dubai Corporation for Consumer Protection and Fair Trade, a division of DET, to monitor and inspect compliance with laws.
The QR Code initiative will be implemented under the direction of the department’s Dubai Business Licence Corporation, which will further improve the city’s varied hospitality infrastructure.
Shaikha Al Mutawa, Director of Hospitality Affairs Department at the DET said: “As we continue to navigate the ever-changing landscape of the tourism industry, we recognise the importance of innovation and technology in further bolstering Dubai’s image as a must-visit destination. To ensure the effective governance of the holiday homes segment, we are introducing QR codes, as a part of the ongoing digital transformation process across customer and visitor touchpoints in the city. It is also a testament to our commitment to providing exceptional experiences for our guests in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the best city to visit, live in and work. We are also continuously taking steps to offer flexible and multiple options year-round in the short-term rental market, thereby strengthening confidence among investors and potential guests.”
By the end of March 2023, the Holiday Homes segment had grown significantly from the same period in 2022 (14,518 units and 23,299 rooms), reaching 21,132 units (+45.5% YoY), with 32,794 rooms (+40.7% YoY). In Q1 2023, Holiday Homes also welcomed 137,144 visitors.
Dubai’s holiday homes offer a wide variety of living quarters, including studios, apartments, and villas in gated communities, as well as homes on farms in the Hatta region. These residences offer families privacy, plenty of space, and a vacation opportunity beyond standard hospitality encounters.
In order to manage and record their operations based on the classification system for vacation homes, licenced enterprises may apply for licences and permit from the Dubai Business Licence Corporation (DBLC). According to the criteria established by DET, which performs inspections to make sure the units satisfy the approved classification criteria, Dubai’s vacation home market goes through a rigorous classification procedure that regularly divides it into tourist and luxury units and villas.
Due to its sophisticated infrastructure, huge potential, and law that meets worldwide standards, Dubai has seen an exceptional expansion in the hospitality sector, including strong demand from investors. With 4.67 million tourists in the first quarter of 2023—a 17% YoY increase and 98% of pre-pandemic levels—the emirate has also established itself as a prominent tourism destination, making Dubai the fastest-recovering location internationally.