Helal Al Marri

Director general, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism

Origin: UAE

Residence: UAE

Sector: Tourism/ Diversified 

Under Al Marri’s stewardship, the Department of Economy and Tourism said Dubai welcomed 14.36 million international visitors in 2022, a 97 per cent increase from 7.28 million a year earlier. He also oversaw the opening of new attractions and initiatives to spur tourism, including the Museum of
the Future and Atlantis The Royal, a mega-resort located on Palm Jumeirah.

Al Marri is spearheading the implementation of new initiatives in Dubai that aligns well with the UAE 2031 Tourism Strategy, which seeks to attract 40 million visitors by 2031 and increase the sector’s contribution to the emirate’s GDP to Dhs450bn. The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism contributes to Dubai’s D33 strategy by attracting foreign investment, raising exports, nurturing SMEs and formulating plans for the emirate’s economic sectors. 

Al-Marri is a member of the Executive Council of Dubai, he chairs the Dubai Financial Market and sits on the boards of Emaar Properties, Taaleem and the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Al-Marri also serves as director general of the Dubai World Trade Centre Authority.