<span style="color: #222222;">Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur who is in Dubai today had a detailed discussion with CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing Issam Kazim. They talked about various strategies adopted by Dubai in respect of tourism sector to make it a preferred tourism destination for the World. Mr Kazim mentioned that Dubai's success has been possible owing to the decisive leadership with a focused target. He talked about Dubai Authority's strategy during COVID when the city was shut down in March 2020. Mr Kazim said, the authorities adopted a completely new strategy and ensured restrictions and protocols. Vaccinations and PCR tests were made mandatory for travellers. He said, Dubai was the first city to open up for tourists. <br />''<br />''Mr Kazim mentioned that Dubai is targeting to get 25 million tourists by 2025 and making it the World's most visited city. He said, the City focuses on aspects vis-à-vis marketing Dubai so that people feel comfortable to come, making it easier of setting up business, promoting Dubai as best city to live in, promoting FDI, tech companies, improving connectivity through Emirate airlines and infrastructure development. Mr Kazim also mentioned that Dubai has been exploring the crypto currency space also, although it is risky and unregulated space.<br />''<br />''Mr Thakur shared his experience of seen mostly family tourists. Mr. Kazim mentioned that they launched a clear roadmap for promoting tourism and worked on targeting the key source .They focused on promoting more 3 to 4 hotels with facilities similar to 5-star hotels and increased the number of rooms from 68 thousand to 1 lakh 38 thousand with the help of private sector investments. He said, Dubai college of tourism helps in training people to fill the skill gap required for UAE. Mr Kazim said, Dubai's shopping destination campaign is a legacy campaign by Dubai Authority which promotes Dubai. He said, Dubai is also doing a lot in promoting itself as film destination and many Indian film makers chose Dubai due to its affordability. Mr Kazim said, Dubai does not have a direct taxation system and corporate tax of 9 per cent will also be effective from 2023. He said, most of the revenue comes from foreign investments, rents and spending by tourists.<br />''<br />''Mr Kazim mentioned that India has great potential in tourism and India can utilize the unique aspects of key cities or States and focus on the strength. He said, India's IT talent benefits the global industry which can be promoted as a strength. Mr Kazim said, Dubai Studio City DSC has many international media houses including CNN, BBC, among others. The DSC has all the latest technologies, equipment and facilities at par with Hollywood that helps film makers to reduce logistics cost of bringing their own equipment. He said, India has great potential in the VFX sector and Dubai is not a movie producing city like India and the gap can be filled by support from India.<br />''<br />''Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur invited Mr. Kazim to India to discuss further on collaboration opportunities in the tourism and media and entertainment sector.<br />''Joint Secretary Broadcasting Sanjiv Shankar, Director (Films) Dhanpreet Kaur,  Personal Secretary to the Minister Vinay Kauskal, Assistant Secretary General of  FICCI Leena Jaisani and Bader Ali Habib were present during the discussion.<br />''Later, Mr Thakur held a conversation with Actor Ranveer Singh on The Global Reach of Indian Media and Entertainment Industry at the India Pavilion at Dubai Expo 2020.<br />''He said Indian people in Dubai are the real brand ambassadors of India. Mr Thakur said, the India Pavilion has been a huge crowd puller with 1.7 million visitors. He added that the country is celebrating 75 years of India's independence and the celebrations are taking place not just in India but abroad also.<br />''Acknowledging the contribution of films in India's soft power projection, the Minister said India is a land of storytelling and the film industry has left a great impact on people of foreign countries who identify India for its films. He said, his aim is to make India the content sub-continent of the world. Mr Thakur said, this can generate millions of jobs in India and help create content for the whole world. He acknowledged the acting talent powerhouse that is Ranveer Singh recalling his acting from various movies.<br />''Actor Ranveer Singh said Indian content is on the cusp of making its presence felt on world stage. He said, Indian entertainment is going to explode globally. Mr Singh said, our stories resonate with people and transcend cultural boundaries and Indians abroad connect with India through films.<br />''Ahead of the lively discussion the Minister along with the Actor took a tour of the India Pavilion at Dubai Expo 2020.</span>