Dubai Launches World's First City-Wide Tourism Loyalty Club and New Digital Visa Platform
Written by AI from travelandtourworld.com's report. Not checked by a person.
Dubai unveiled the Dubai Access Club, the world's first city-led, invitation-only tourism loyalty programme rewarding returning visitors with exclusive benefits and experiences, alongside a new integrated Visit Dubai digital platform for visa applications and tourism services.
Dubai announced two significant initiatives in November 2026 to strengthen its position as a global tourism destination. The centrepiece is the Dubai Access Club, announced on 1 November 2026 by Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and described as the world's first city-led, invitation-only tourism membership programme. Unlike conventional airline or hotel loyalty schemes, it rewards visitors' loyalty to the destination as a whole. Interested travellers can register via the Visit Dubai website, though receiving an invitation is not guaranteed. Proposed benefits include promotional spending credits — the Visit Dubai platform references an AED 1,000 credit in its FAQ — complimentary mobile connectivity, concierge services and ALSAADA privileges; however, the full terms and final membership fee remain subject to official confirmation.
Separately, Dubai is introducing tourist visa applications through the Visit Dubai platform during November 2026, developed through cooperation between GDRFA Dubai, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and Digital Dubai. The integrated channel combines tourism bookings, itinerary planning and government services in one interface, while GDRFA Dubai retains responsibility for assessing applications and issuing approvals.
Travellers can also use an existing GDRFA Dubai facility: a five-year multiple-entry tourist visa costing AED 3,713, including a refundable AED 3,000 financial guarantee, with no UAE sponsor required. It permits stays of up to 90 days per year, extendable to 180 days.
Both initiatives support Dubai's D33 Economic Agenda, which aims to place the emirate among the world's three leading destinations for business and leisure. Dubai welcomed a record 19.59 million international overnight visitors in 2025.
