Coronavirus: Dubai's economy eagerly awaits the return of tourists

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Text by: Nicolas Keraudren Follow

In Dubai, the economic consequences of the Covid-19 epidemic are being felt hard. A survey by the Chamber of Commerce conducted last April among 1,228 business leaders reveals that a majority of private companies in the emirate risk cessation of activity. Among the most affected sectors, tourism, hotels and catering. Merchants, too, are struggling to attract customers again. According to this survey, 65% of businesses could indeed close shop in the next six months.

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From our correspondent in Dubai,

At the Dubai gold souk, the atmosphere is gloomy. Even if the windows sparkle again since May 13 after a long period of strict confinement, traders are still struggling to attract customers.

Nimesh Soni, the owner of one of the jewelry stores, prefers to put the situation into perspective. “  We welcome between two and three customers a day. No more. But at least there is activity. It is not completely empty. So the situation is improving  . " 

Like this jeweler, Jess Mogriah also makes the same observation. “  Before the epidemic, we welcomed more than 15 customers a day. Mostly tourists. But now the activity is very calm because of the Covid-19,  ”he notes.

In this context, the announcement by the Dubai authorities of the potential resumption of tourism from July is a source of hope for these traders. Dubai, endowed with the most diversified economy in the region, had indeed welcomed in 2019 more than 16 million tourists.

"  The future? When international flights resume, everything will go back to the way it was before. The tourists will come back and everything will be better,  ”dares to hope Jess Mogriah. Because the gold souk, located in the historic district of Dubai, is a must for tourists.

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• United Arab Emirates
• Coronavirus
• Economy