🍽🗺️Why Dubai Restaurants Should Stop Chasing Tourists and Focus on the Community

Welcome back to another edition of "On The House"—we're that unspoken thought you've always had but never quite found the words for.

Let's jump right in and not waste those precious minutes of your smoke break:

On today's quick and tasty menu:

• Why Dubai Restaurants Should Stop Chasing Tourists …

• How Restaurants in Dubai Can Leverage the Festiva …

• Why Building a Business on the Shoulders of Influe …

Why Dubai Restaurants Should Stop Chasing Tourists and Focus on the Community

If your restaurant in Dubai is only targeting tourists, you’re leaving money on the table. I see it all the time—restaurants get caught up in the flash of tourism, thinking that’s where the gold is. But here’s the deal: tourists are a bonus, not the foundation. The real win comes from locking in the local community.

Look, tourism is a rollercoaster. One day, your place is packed with people taking selfies by the beach, the next day it’s a ghost town. The biggest mistake stand-alone restaurants make in Dubai is relying too much on that flood of tourists and ignoring the people who live here all year. Consistency in the hospitality business comes from regulars, not one-time visitors.

How do you build that consistency? By focusing on the folks who call Dubai home. Locals and expats come back. They bring their friends. They order more than just the appetizers and leave reviews. If you get them on board, your restaurant stops being a tourist trap and becomes a community staple.

Here’s how you do it: start by making locals/expats feel like they’re part of something. Run loyalty programs that actually matter—reward people for coming back, not just for signing up. Host events that bring value to them. Local collaborations? Huge. Partner with nearby vendors, feature their products and make your menu an extension of the community.

When you invest in your community, you’re playing the long game. Sure, you can go after tourists for the quick cash, but once they’re gone, what’s left? Empty seats. But if you build relationships with locals/expats, they keep coming back, and that’s a steady stream of income. Every. Single. Month.

So yeah, keep the tourists in mind, but if you’re serious about building a sustainable business in Dubai, make the locals/expats your priority. When the tourist wave dies down, the community is what keeps you afloat. Simple as that.

How Restaurants in Dubai Can Leverage the Festival Boom

Festivals are popping up all over Dubai, and if you’re not part of it, you’re leaving money on the table. These events attract crowds that are already looking for more—more fun, more food, more experiences. And this is where your restaurant steps in.

Start by getting involved early. Partnerships with festival organizers can put you front and center. Can’t swing that? No problem. Create special menus or limited-time offers that tie into the festival’s vibe attract their attention by promoting them for free. People want to feel connected to what’s happening, and your restaurant can give them that.

Next, think about hosting your own events during the festival. Is there a music festival in town? Add an after party or hangover breakfast the next day. Art show happening? Bring in local artists. You’re not just feeding people; you’re becoming part of their festival experience.

And don’t underestimate social media. Festival-goers are glued to their phones, sharing every moment. Ride that wave. Show off your specials, your event tie-ins, and your festival-ready vibe. People need a place to eat, drink, and hang out—make sure they know it’s your place. But why do all that extra work you ask?

Festivals come and go, but the customers you hook in during these events can stick around. That’s the long game. Capture their attention now, and they’ll keep coming back long after the festival ends.

Why Building a Business on the Shoulders of Influencers is the Next Big Thing

Everyone’s doing it backward. They’re opening restaurants, cafes, and whatever else, then chasing influencers to promote them. Why not flip the script? Instead of using influencers for a one-off marketing push, build the entire business around them. Not just their name—but their personality, their values, and the community they already influence.

Let me explain…

Most influencers are great at one thing: attention. They have the audience, they know how to keep people hooked, but when it comes to actually running a business, let’s face it—they’re usually terrible operators. This is where you come in. Don’t just slap their name on the brand—use their personality as the foundation. For example, let’s say you’ve got an influencer who’s big in the fitness world. Instead of opening another generic gym or sports bar, build a space that embodies their fitness philosophy. Their followers already believe in their vision, so why not give them a place where that vision comes to life?

It’s like combining the best of both worlds: they bring the marketing muscle, and you bring the operational expertise. What you’re doing is leveraging their influence to create an ecosystem where their audience can live out what they see online, but in real life. You’re building not just a business, but a community around their brand.

The key? Don’t let the influencer just be the face—let their personality drive the business model. From the design, the menu, the atmosphere—make it all about them. People already trust influencers; they’ll flock to a space that embodies their values and lifestyle.

Influencers are masters at creating hype. You’re the one who can turn that hype into a sustainable, well-run business. Stop chasing after influencers for short-term gains and start building something with them for the long haul. It’s more than just marketing—this is about creating an actual experience that their audience can’t get enough of.

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Stay sharp and keep making waves!

Weekly Angry Chef Meme