GRIF 2026 Study Tours
THRIVE
Three days of market insight, investment discussion, founder-led exchange and hospitality experiences across Dubai.
GRIF Study Tours
Curated tours taking our community into the venues, concepts and neighbourhoods shaping Dubai’s next hospitality chapter.
Each route combines behind-the-scenes visits with light bites and candid conversations with the founders, operators, developers and industry leaders behind the businesses.
Places are limited and advance registration is required.
CREATE x Emerging Destinations
How emerging neighbourhoods become destinations through hospitality venues.
As Dubai continues to expand and create new centres of community, this tour visits Uptown Dubai and Dubai Harbour—two emerging districts using hospitality to establish their identity and become destinations in their own right.
Beginning at Uptown Dubai, before moving to Dubai Harbour and Harbour House, the tour looks at the thinking behind each destination’s F&B mix, how established concepts adapt to emerging locations and what it takes to pioneer a new neighbourhood.
Developers and operators will share how hospitality, restaurants and experiences can work together to create a wider sense of place, attract new audiences and give people a reason to return.
Community by Design
What makes people come back?
An inside look at the venues and operators that have become part of their neighbourhoods rather than simply places to eat and drink. Founders and operators share how they choose locations, build community into a concept’s DNA and create the loyalty and repeat visitation that allow hospitality businesses to thrive for the long term.
The tour combines established community anchors with previews of concepts still being brought to life, looking honestly at what works, what does not and why some venues become genuine gathering places.
Emirati Flavours
Where Dubai’s heritage, ingredients and culinary traditions meet new ideas and interpretation.
As Dubai’s culinary scene continues to evolve, local flavours and ingredients are inspiring a new generation of chefs, founders and food businesses. Featuring homegrown talent and emerging concepts, this tour looks at where Emirati heritage and tradition meet invention, contemporary interpretation and new local products.