Below: Msheireb Downtown Doha: a sustainable urban regeneration district designed around heritage, walkability, retail, offices, residences, hotels and cultural spaces
Minister of Economy and Tourism, underlined the national tourism agenda at the Emirates Tourism Council’s second meeting of 2026, saying the council’s new projects would “support our national efforts to highlight the diversity of tourism, develop comprehensive tourism offerings, and establish a state-of-the-art digital infrastructure for tourism data in the UAE”. If you are a real estate investor, the relevance is practical. The UAE is bringing together destination development, infrastructure, data, regulation, investment incentives and visitor experience into a more coordinated tourism platform. The market is moving towards places that work as complete environments, not standalone assets. BRANDED RESIDENCES GROWTH DRIVER The branded residence boom shows how dramatically the model is evolving. Savills’ Branded Residences 2025/2026 report says the global number of schemes was expected to rise from 764 in December 2024 to 910 by the end of 2025, a 19% year-on-year increase, with more than 220 additional projects added to the worldwide pipeline. The Middle East and North Africa region has seen 187% growth over the past five years, led by Dubai and the wider Gulf. Dubai is now the world’s leading metro market for branded residences, with 64 completed schemes and 87 in the pipeline, according to Savills. Ras Al Khaimah also ranks among the top global metros, with 24 projects in the pipeline, reflecting the impact of Al Marjan Island and the emirate’s push into integrated leisure and resort-led real estate. Cairo is another standout, with two completed schemes and 26 in the pipeline, showing how branded living is becoming
part of the wider Middle East growth story beyond the Gulf. The appeal is commercial as much as lifestyle-led. Savills calculates the global average brand premium at 33%, with established and emerging cities averaging 30% and resort locations achieving 39%, up from 34% in 2024. That premium helps explain why developers are leaning into branded residences, particularly in markets where global wealth, lifestyle infrastructure and tourism demand overlap. Yet Savills is clear that brand alone is not enough: location, delivery quality and operational execution remain decisive. Gulf destinations have spent two decades building the lifestyle infrastructure that branded residential buyers value: aviation access, high-quality hospitality, retail, private healthcare, international schools, beach clubs, marinas, restaurants, cultural venues and major events. Dubai’s tax positioning, capital security and connectivity have made it a magnet for global wealth. The UAE’s Golden Visa adds another incentive layer: Dubai Land Department (DLD) says real estate investors owning property worth at least AED 2 million ($544,500), can apply for a 10-year renewable residence permit and sponsor spouses, children and parents. Branded residences also help operators and owners manage a more complicated capital environment. For developers, residential sales can de-risk large projects, support early cash flow and improve financing. For hotel brands, residences deepen customer relationships and add fee streams without requiring them to own the asset.
For buyers, the proposition blends capital appreciation, service, security and lifestyle. The model is changing at the same time. Savills says completed branded residence projects remain predominantly mixed- use, but standalone branded residences are gaining ground as hotel operators use the product to diversify revenue streams, particularly in urban centres where they may already have hotel presence. Globally, hotel brands still dominate, accounting for 79% of completed branded residence stock and 78% of the pipeline, while non-hotel brands are building share through fashion, design, automotive, F&B and lifestyle identities. DESTINATION INFRASTRUCTURE FOCUS In the Gulf, the strongest opportunities sit at the intersection of hospitality, residential and place-making. Dubai has already moved from hotel-led tourism into district-led tourism, with master planned areas combining visitor accommodation, residences, offices, retail, events and public realm. Abu Dhabi is following its own path, with a strong emphasis on infrastructure diversification, culture, entertainment and liveability. Turner & Townsend notes that the UAE’s construction sector has shifted towards major public infrastructure projects and mixed-use developments, aligned with national strategy, Vision 2031 and the 2050 Net Zero Strategy. It also highlights Dubai South and Yas Island as examples designed for population growth, while identifying Louvre Abu Dhabi and Expo City Dubai as tourism landmarks supporting economic diversification. “Priorities such as improved
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