Dubai Scraps 30% Alcohol Tax In A Bid To Boost Tourism

Dubai:

Dubai has dropped a 30 % tax on alcohol gross sales in an obvious bid to lure vacationers as competitors rises between main cities within the rich Gulf.

The reduce, introduced by distributors however not confirmed by authorities, appears set to slash costs which might be among the many world’s highest, with beer routinely costing greater than $15 a pint, or half-litre.

The non-public liquor licence, obtainable to non-Muslims aged over 21 and required to purchase alcohol at Dubai’s small variety of licensed outlets, is now free, in line with distributors MMI and African and Jap.

“Shopping for your favorite drinks simply received simpler and cheaper!” MMI mentioned in a Fb publish detailing the cuts. There was no rapid remark from Dubai authorities.

Dubai is the monetary, commerce and tourism hub of the United Arab Emirates, a Muslim nation and main oil exporter which has steadily loosened the shackles on ingesting.

In contrast to neighbouring Saudi Arabia, many of the UAE is way from being a dry nation, with alcohol bought in licensed venues together with resorts, eating places, bars and designated outlets. It can’t be consumed in public, nonetheless.

Of the UAE’s seven Emirates, solely Sharjah, neighbouring Dubai, forbids alcohol fully.

The transfer to make ingesting cheaper comes because the Saudi capital Riyadh pursues a sustained drive to draw international guests and firms, and weeks after gas-rich Qatar raised its profile by internet hosting the soccer World Cup.

Dubai attracted greater than 12 million worldwide in a single day guests within the first 11 months of 2022 — greater than double the 6.02 million who visited throughout the identical interval in 2021, in line with Dubai’s Division of Economic system and Tourism.

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