Dubai Crowned Number One Global Destination

Dubai has been crowned the No.1 global destination in the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards for a second successive year, consolidating its position as the world’s favorite tourist destination. The recognition supports the goal of the recently launched Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to consolidate Dubai’s status as one of the world’s top three destinations for tourism and business.

Dubai’s top international ranking was announced by Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel guidance platform, at its annual Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Destination Awards 2023. The back-to-back global seals of approval underscore the significant efforts to bolster the city’s vibrant economy and tourism ecosystem as it seeks to deliver 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 world’s most visited and livable city.

Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award winners are uniquely chosen by millions of travelers from around the world, who provide their real and unbiased reviews or opinions on destinations, activities and experiences. The quality and quantity of independent destination reviews and ratings from travelers covered a period of 12 months from November 1^st, 2021 to October 31^st, 2022. Here are some of the top hotspots there.

Visit Alserkal Avenue

One of Dubai’s most celebrated cultural districts, Alserkal Avenue is located in the industrial area of Al Quoz and features contemporary art galleries as well as yoga, spinning and wellbeing studios, homegrown cafés and Cinema Akil, which screens independent arthouse movies. A magnet for cultural types, Alserkal is home to some of Dubai’s most well-known art galleries including Leila Heller Gallery which showcases the works of contemporary artists from the Middle East, Central Asia, Southeast Asia and Turkey, Custot Gallery, representing modern and contemporary artists from Europe and the US, and The Third Line which presents contemporary Middle Eastern artists.

Take a street food tour

Dubai is host to a range of street food tours that showcase off-the-beaten-path restaurants and dishes. These tours take guests on a journey through the culturally diverse side of Old Dubai and beyond and include a choice of walking tours with Frying Pan Adventures, or why not undertake your own foodie walking tour of Dubai’s souks? The buzzing Deira Waterfront Market is an absolute must-visit for foodies and seafood lovers, where visitors can choose fresh seafood from the market and have it cooked to their taste at one of the destination’s range of restaurants.

Gather for a meal at one of Dubai’s many MICHELIN starred restaurants

Launched in June 2022, The Michelin Guide Dubai recognises the city as a world-renowned gastronomic destination. The emirate’s rich and diverse culinary scene is full of innovative dining experiences, hidden neighbourhood gems, and creative menus that reflect Arabian traditions, world flavours and inspirational modern fusion. Highlights of the inaugural guide include LOWE, the modern zero-waste Dubai restaurant which was awarded a coveted Green Star, as well as Ossiano, which takes diners on a journey to the depths of the ocean.

Spend a day at Dubai’s iconic pools

Dubai is home to a host of epic swimming pools reaching new heights and depths. These include the highest 360-degree infinity pool in the world, Aura Skypool and the world’s highest infinity pool at Address Beach Resort, both boasting breathtaking city views. In addition, Deep Dive Dubai has entered the Guinness World Records for the deepest diving pool in the world, with a depth of 60.02 meters allowing thrill-seekers to dive into another dimension.

Dubai is also bursting with fitness-inspired activities, yoga classes and destination spas, which can be found throughout the city. These include a range of decadent spas and wellness experiences available at luxury destinations such as Blended Wellness, located at Dukes Hotel and the spa at Anantara World Islands.

Talise Ottoman Spa at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray is one of the city’s largest and most luxurious spas, boasting large facilities including a Turkish hammam, Thalassotherapy pools as well as sub-zero snowrooms. Set in the luxurious Jumeirah Zabeel Saray on Palm Jumeirah, the spa features an extensive menu of treatments inspired by traditional Ottoman therapies and regional pampering practices. The ‘Rose Bliss’ body massage is a pampering ritual that commences with gentle body exfoliation, then a massage with indulgent rose oils infused with evening primrose oil, shea butter, and Damascus rose oil to heal and restore. Alternatively, why not opt for the exclusive 24-carat gold facial? This decadent treatment includes an Arabian gold-infused Hammam experience, and a rose bliss and argan oil massage followed by a luxurious skin softening milk and bath, priced at AED 25,000 ($6,800).

In other words, don’t forget your credit card!

For more about my Wanderlust and wellness travels, please Follow me on Instagram at @DebbiKickham.