For travel agents and tour operators, Dubai’s continuous evolution is a key selling point. Now, Emirates’ President Sir Tim Clark has indicated that the city’s most ambitious chapter may be yet to come, suggesting new, groundbreaking attractions that will keep clients coming back.
After four decades at the center of Dubai’s incredible growth, Sir Clark teased a future that could redefine the city’s skyline once again. In a recent interview with British journalist Piers Morgan, the airline chief hinted that development projects even more ambitious than the Burj Khalifa are on the horizon. This only means one thing – a fresh wave of opportunities for the travel industry to market and sell the destination.
“I daresay there are other things that are going to come along that are bigger and more beautiful than Burj Khalifa – we don’t know,” Sir Clark told Morgan, offering a compelling glimpse into the future product pipeline for Dubai.
For travel providers, these comments underscore the long-term vision that secures Dubai’s position as a premier global destination. Sir Clark emphasized that the city’s phenomenal growth is not accidental but the result of a deliberate strategy to build a diversified and resilient economy. This ensures a stable and continuously improving visitor experience.
He highlighted the strategic development across key sectors as the foundation of this success. This long-term planning provides reassurance to agents that Dubai will remain a top-tier, well-managed destination for their clients.
“If you look at the GDP and the broad basis of the economy and the multiple segments, whether it be media, tech, aviation, hospitality, or banking, it is all here,” Sir Clark said. “Somebody had to think that this really – If I am going to make it work, not only must I put the place on the map geographically with some iconic things, but I’ve also got to make the city come into a critical mass where it is going to develop wealth for the government, but it must work for all the citizens of Dubai as well.”
The Dubai Media Office shared excerpts from the interview, in which Sir Clark reflected on the city’s rapid development, describing it as being “on steroids” since the early 90s, always guided by a clear vision.
Piers Morgan Uncensored
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) June 3, 2025
Interview with Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates
Part 4#Dubai pic.twitter.com/D6x7L7vWRC
He underscored that the ruler’s commitment to reinvesting in the city was fundamental to its success, a model that directly benefits the tourism infrastructure that agents and their clients rely on. “What the ruler said no, we must put our money in this city and use that money to develop this city – that was part of the model,” Sir Clark explained.
Piers Morgan noted the sheer “scale of the ambition – biggest and best in the world as fast as possible.”
Sir Clark affirmed this, explaining that this drive was core to Dubai’s strategy, especially as it moved away from a reliance on limited fossil fuel resources.
For the travel trade, the key takeaway is the “guidance and steer” that Sir Clark mentioned, which ensures Dubai’s growth is strategic and controlled, promising a constantly evolving, yet consistently high-quality, destination for years to come.
What can travel agents do RIGHT NOW to keep interest up?
With projects in the pipeline that would be “bigger and more beautiful than Burj Khalifa,” here are just three easy ways to capture the excitement:
1. Become a reliable source
What if your clients heard about Dubai’s next mega-attraction from you first? Perhaps start dropping hints and sharing the official whispers. As an insider and their trusted travel advisor, go beyond the skyline and share your thoughts on why Dubai’s long-term vision and ambition make it an appealing destination they should visit again and again.
2. Turn mysteries into itineraries
To help clients gain a better understanding of Dubai, consider creating itineraries that sell the story of city’s incredible growth. This way, you can offer clients a look at the icons of today, while building anticipation for the wonders of tomorrow. For clients interested in iconic buildings, perpahs highlighting the city’s old and new via an itinerary that combines the city’s iconic landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa and Old Dubai with experiences in newer areas like Bluewaters Island or Dubai Harbour, might tickel their fancy.
And for clients who enjoy all things modern and forward, perhaps suggest itineraries around the sectors Sir Clark mentioned in the interview – for e.g. a tour that includes the Museum of the Future and Media City to highlight the city’s technology and innovation, or a tour that centres around high-end hotels and dining experiences to promote the city’s luxury hospitality offerings.
3. Create a “watchlist”
Give your repeat clients compelling reasons to go back to Dubai by ensuring them you are actively monitoring the city’s future developments and will keep them abreast of the next “bigger and more beautiful” attractions as soon as they are announced.
For your inspiration
Here are just a few resources to help you kick start your very own Dubai toolkit for clients:
- Best time to visit Dubai: season-by-season travel guide
- Do they speak English in Dubai? Your essential language guide
- Dubai: Local culture & heritage
- Dubai rules for visitors: what you need to know before you go
- Make a splash in style: Dubai’s most luxurious water sports experiences
- Record-breaking must-visits for a 12-hour stopover in Dubai
- Experience Dubai like a cast member of Dubai Bling
- Rooftop pools in Dubai you’ll want to check out
- What to do in Palm Jumeirah: your essential guide to Dubai’s iconic island oasis
- Fact sheet: Emirates Business Class
