Innovative leadership in leisure and entertainment industry: The case of the UAE as a global tourism hub

Abstract

Purpose

Innovative undertakings play a critical role in the economic value creation and wealth generation of a nation. This paper aims to contribute to the literature that positions innovation at the core of the tourism industry in the context of emerging markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopt a case study approach and draw on secondary sources of data to examine how the UAE is reaping the benefits of innovation to transform itself into a leading international leisure and entertainment hub.

Findings

The strategy of significant financial investment in complex mega-projects and major infrastructure development have offered the UAE a relative advantage over other industry giants worldwide. Nonetheless, the local government should continue tapping into the multiple and diverse opportunities that product/service and process innovation has to offer if the UAE ambitions to enhance its competitiveness and acquire the status of a global tourism hub.

Originality/value

While most research efforts to date focused on Western markets, this study contributes to the development of a knowledge base about the role of innovation in the tourism industry in emerging market settings.

Citation

Bodolica, V., Spraggon, M. and Saleh, N. (2020), "Innovative leadership in leisure and entertainment industry: The case of the UAE as a global tourism hub", International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management, Vol. 13 No. 2, pp. 323-337. https://doi.org/10.1108/IMEFM-12-2019-0521