Visa has expanded its global travel programme in Dubai as one of the first cities, alongside London and Paris.
The programme will offer Visa cardholders access to exclusive benefits and offers, as well as more opportunities. This is in line with Dubai’s hospitality sector, culture, and lifestyle, addressing ever-evolving travel needs and supporting cardholders in exploring the city through premium stays, dining, and shopping.
A better travel experience in the world’s most popular cities
Visa selected Dubai when the city experienced a surge in travel spending. According to VisaNet reports, returning visitors to Dubai now spend 45% more per trip than first-time travellers, with first-time travellers spending USD 540 on average, and third-time visitors spending USD 890. They mainly look for entertainment such as recreation services, amusement parks, and tourist attractions, which have grown by 69% since 2024. Dining increased by 20% in 2025, and apparel and fashion spend rose by 25%.
This heightened spend rate is driven by robust travel inflows from markets such as Saudi Arabia, the US, and the UK, which are Dubai’s top origin countries. This reflects the Emirate’s position as a global destination, ranking Dubai among the top 10 cities in the world for international arrivals, as it attracts travellers from over 100 countries.
The travel sector's contribution to the UAE's economy enables the region’s GDP to surge to approximately 70 billion USD, 13% of the national economy, marking a 3.2% increase from 2023 and a 26% increase from pre-pandemic levels. Visa aims to further support this growth by improving cardholder experiences and offering merchants more opportunities.
Key programme features include personalised experiences across hospitality, dining, entertainment, and transport, partnerships with merchants that deliver exclusive benefits for Visa card owners, easier access for Visa Infinite and Visa Signature cardholders, and simple digital booking and secure payment options for travellers.
