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Dubai Introduces Its Metaverse Strategy
The aim of the initiative is to make Dubai the leader in the region and one of the top 10 cities globally in terms of metaverse economy.
Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum seems to share Meta’s vision for the next generation of the internet because he has recently launched the Dubai Metaverse Strategy.
The aim of the initiative is to make Dubai the leader in the region and one of the top 10 cities globally in terms of metaverse economy by supporting 40,000 virtual jobs and 5x the number of blockchain and metaverse companies. By achieving these ambitious goals, Dubai could add $4 billion to its economy within the next 5 years.
“His Highness added that adopting new technologies will be a stepping stone in Dubai’s vision to use future technologies to create new work models in vital sectors and increase the metaverse’s impact on regional and global economies,” states an announcement published by the UAE official news agency WAM.
The Dubai Metaverse Strategy consists of three pillars. The first pillar is intended to foster metaverse innovation and economic contribution. The purpose of the second pillar is to cultivate metaverse talent through education and training. Finally, the third pillar is all about developing metaverse use-cases and applications at the government level.
The three pillars are supported by the adoption, scaling, and global advocation of safe platforms, in addition to infrastructure and regulation refinement.
Also Read: UAE To Punish Crypto Scammers With Fines & Jail Time
While certainly one of the most bullish proponents of the metaverse, Dubai isn’t the first city to introduce a cohesive strategy. Just last month, Chinese city Shanghai released a policy paper that outlines its strategy to cultivate a metaverse industry worth more than 350 billion yuan ($52 billion) by the end of 2025.
Globally, the metaverse market is projected to be worth around $1,607.12 billion by the end of the decade, according to Precedence Research. Do you think Dubai will see a return on this massive investment?
News
Hamad International Wins 2024 Skytrax World Airport Awards
The Qatar airport also won “World’s Best Airport Shopping” for the 2nd time, and “Best Airport in the Middle East” for the 10th year.
Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha, Qatar, has once again won the “World’s Best Airport” title at the Skytrax World Airport Awards. The award ceremony, held at the Passenger Terminal Expo 2024 in Frankfurt, Germany, also saw Hamad clinch the accolade of “World’s Best Airport Shopping” for the 2nd time in a row and “Best Airport in the Middle East” for an impressive 10th consecutive year.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, who played a key role in the airport’s development over the past decade, said: “This is a remarkable achievement for Hamad International Airport, as it celebrates its 10th anniversary of operational excellence, connecting passengers seamlessly from all around the world. It is a testament to the dedication of our team and partners, who have contributed to providing passengers with the finest travel experience”.
Al-Meer emphasized the importance of understanding changing travel trends and the needs of modern air passengers: “At the heart of our growth strategy lies the passengers’ journey, their evolving needs, and our commitment to meeting and exceeding their expectations. We have introduced a diverse range of experiences at the airport, including Souq Al Matar, which brings Qatari hospitality and culture closer to travelers, “Orchard”, the ideal place for relaxation and rejuvenation between flights, and an array of high-end lounges”.
Also Read: Top E-Commerce Websites In The Middle East In 2024
Hamad International Airport saw a massive 31% surge in passenger traffic during 2023, with the transport hub now serving over 45 million passengers annually. The airport is now home to prestigious airlines, including Vistara, Iberia, Xiamen Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, and Japan Airlines, serving 250+ destinations for passenger and cargo flights.
The uptick in traffic is no doubt due to the completion of the first phase of an extensive expansion project. Hamad’s management intends to radically update the airport’s facilities over the coming years in a bid to create the “airport of the future”. The expansion features a unique and calming environment of lush greenery and several contemporary dining and shopping concepts among the already well-equipped leisure facilities.
Hamad International Wins 2024 Skytrax World Airport Awards
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