Benchmarking and tracking Dubai's global brand standing and competitive market positioning.

Proprietary research and tools drive Dubai’s global recovery.

Destination: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Engagement: 2017 - Ongoing


COVID-19 forced the Dubai government to postpone their flagship global economic development and destination branding event, Expo 2020 – a major financial blow. To support amended planning and influence the destination’s recovery strategy and marketing efforts, Twenty31 was engaged to develop the Dubai Destination Brand Tracker, a robust quantitative research methodology, and to conduct in-depth surveys of representative samples of identified travel consumers in 24 major outbound markets.

Market assessment


Twenty31 developed a quantitative survey to assess stated and underlying consumer perceptions of Dubai’s tourism offering and to map competitive brand drivers, motivators, perceptions, attitudes, and travel intentions. This also included the creation of statistically representative sample plans to assess travel consumers in 24 major outbound tourism markets including South Africa, Nigeria, UK, Germany, KSA, China, France, and Belgium.

Advanced brand analysis


Using a series of advanced statistical analysis techniques including regression modelling, path-to-purchase modelling, and brand assessment modelling, we developed a market-specific viewpoint of Dubai’s challenges, opportunities, and forward potential in a post-COVID-19 environment. Data points were reported in market-level briefs with strategic interpretation and observations relevant for marketing, communications, and travel trade engagement.

Strategic briefings


We worked with DTCM’s leadership to support the destination’s recovery efforts using these research insights, producing 24 market-level briefs, a global report, and support during the strategic planning and implementation process. The project was repeated in early 2021 to evaluate market changes and emerging trends and to update the overall recovery strategy.

The Dubai Destination Brand Tracker was created by our team in collaboration with the client to analyze Dubai’s brand standing, competitive brand drivers, and map changing consumer perceptions and behaviours. It successfully informed the destination’s global marketing, communications, travel trade, and product and experience development recovery efforts.