Visa offering benefits to shoppers at Dubai Shopping Festival

Given that the UAE is home to more than 200 nationalities,  Dubai is ably equipped to meet the needs of international travelers from every corner of the world. According to the Visa Global Travel Intentions Study (GTI) 2018, 20 percent of travelers consider good weather as an essential factor behind their choice of destination, while 19 percent look for a location that fits their budget, and 17 percent consider safety and security and important aspect.

Going by the preferences of international travelers, Dubai is one of the world’s most sought-after travel destinations, with the six-week long DSF period being the best time to visit. In fact, a recent research from Euromonitor International shows that the city was the seventh most visited globally in 2018, and even figured ahead of many popular destinations in Europe and America.

According to the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Kuwait was among the top ten source markets for visitors, accounting for 50,000 visitors during January 2018.  This in fact conforms with findings from Visa’s GTI study, which highlights Kuwaitis to be the second-largest global spenders on international trips, shelling out a median amount of US$3,143 on their last trip.  Also travelers from Kuwait want to stay connected 24/7 even while they are on the go, with at least 70 percent of Kuwaitis saying they would tap onto free WiFi in hotels when available.

Although many travelers globally use cards while on vacation, 77 percent still prefer to use cash when making purchases.  However, the study further revealed that travelers cited loss of cash or theft as a top money concern while on trips. Therefore, to better manage your money on your next adventure to Dubai, here is a list of travel tips from Visa to keep in mind:

1. Paying by credit or debit card is safer and more convenient than carrying cash.
2. Check your card to make sure it won’t expire while you’re away.
3. Save money; when traveling out of country, paying by card in local currency can offer a competitive exchange rate.
4. Make two copies of important travel documents, including your passport, in case of emergency.
5. Notify your bank and card issuer about your travel plans to help monitor for fraud.
6. Set alerts so you can keep track of spending on your phone.
7. Data roaming charges can skyrocket while abroad so set up your cell-phone to avoid international data roaming or ensure you have an international plan.
8. Keep a list of important contacts in case your phone is lost or stolen.
9. For fun local events happening during DSF, check out the Visit Dubai website.

Through its long-standing partnership with DSF, Visa is committed to ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience for international visitors to the festival by offering them convenient, secure and frictionless payment options. And it is these illuminating benefits that help make Visa the best way to pay and be paid for everyone everywhere.