Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Dubai Tourism, has launched a sponsorship scheme for organisers, as it seeks to drive Dubai’s events industry.

The Leisure Events Sponsorship Scheme is designed to “empower leisure event organisers with additional incentivisation opportunities in the form of event sponsorship”.

The scheme will target entertainment events and will be applicable for events that are ticketed and open to the public, with an eligible leisure event permit.

The scheme targets sport, entertainment and/or cultural events and allows for event organisers to apply for sponsorship for events taking place from May 1.

The scheme will work in conjunction with the department’s ticketing and permits services to streamline management and coordination of event licensing activities and provide greater operational efficiency.

His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, director general, Dubai Tourism said: “The sponsorship scheme forms part of our commitment to retain the city’s status as a leading global event destination and has been designed to build on this momentum and act as a catalyst for the local events industry.

“This has been further fuelled by our cross-industry public and private sector partnerships, which serve as a crucial component in helping us identify and pursue opportunities to further empower local event organisers as we set the stage to welcome audiences from around the world.”