Dubai Loosens Laws as UAE Alcohol Sales Fall

The tourist industry is vital to Dubai. However, recently there has been a widening economic downturn affecting the country.

The UAE dominates other countries around the Middle East when it comes to drinking, with per capita alcohol consumption of 3.8 litres (1 gallon) per person per year. However, over recent years there has been a notable decline in overall sales of alcohol from 161.5 million litres (42.6 million gallons) in 2018, down from 163.7 million litres (43.2 million gallons) in 2017.

In a hope to boost the declining economy, Dubai has relaxed laws to allow tourists to buy alcohol in state-controlled stores.

Critics of the new laws claim that they are misleading.

Radha Stirling speaking for the Detained in Dubai group describes the new legislation: "What the new law does is create potential revenue through the granting of licences, and further mislead people into thinking that they can buy and consume alcohol without any risks, but the same risks remain as before."