From Derulo to Momoa: Celebs Putting UAE on the Global Map With Iconic Tourism Campaigns

Seeing how the UAE and all its cities boast a thriving world of tourism and experiences, they have been making sure to place themselves on the global map.

How, you may ask?

By getting global celebrities to become brand ambassadors and showcase everything the UAE’s cities have to offer. To get a glimpse at these ads, we are rounding up our favorites, including the most recent one by Jason Derulo:

Jason Derulo “You Had Me At Marhaba!”

Derulo, the famous R&B singer who always knows how to get us dancing, is the face of the UAE’s latest tourism campaign. On his personal TikTok, Derulo shared a special Ad he made for Dubai, captioning it with “#Dubai, you had me at Marhaba!.”

Packed with hilarity and creativity, you get to see Derulo spewing Arabic like a pro after staying in Dubai for just one month.

Then, after a whole year, you get to see him literally transform into a local Emirati, donning a white thobe and walking with a camel across the desert. It is all to show you how easy it is to get immersed in the city.

Ahmed Helmy & Mona Zaki ‘One Summer Isn’t Enough’

Back in the summer of 2023, Egypt’s widely adored celebrity couple, Ahmed Helmy & Mona Zaki, were the faces of Experience Abu Dhabi’s summer campaign. It was all about showcasing everything that Abu Dhabi has to offer as a tourist destination.

The campaign itself is hilarious, as we watch Zaki literally drag Helmy across Abu Dhabi’s must-visit spots, whether it is a walk through the Louvre or a thrill-seeking experience at Yas Marina Circuit.

Jason Momoa As Yas Island Island Officer

There are many special spots and attractions across Abu Dhabi, but the coolest of them thus far has to be Yas Island. The massive leisure island is home to a larger-than-life waterpark called Yas Waterworld and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

With such an eclectic mix of experiences, Abu Dhabi knew it had to put all stops in to place this destination on the global map.

Cue Aquaman himself, Jason Mamoa, was chosen as the Chief Island Officer of Yas Island back in 2023. This means he was the island’s very own guide, showcasing all that it has to offer.

Each of his campaign videos was hilarious, especially the one for Yas Waterworld, in which we see Mamoa getting hilariously tortured by an old lady because he splashed her when sliding down one of the park’s rides. All the videos have that same hilarious touch, making them the perfect way to introduce you to the island.

Penelope Cruz: Face of Emirates Airlines

Beyond all that is offered inland, the UAE is also known to boast some of the best services worldwide. Their airlines alone are some of the best, and that is why they decided to bring in a familiar face to represent one of their best airlines, Emirates. We all know and love her.

The beautiful Penelope Cruz is the ultimate starlet who graced some of Hollywood’s biggest films.

To place Emirates further on the global map, Penelope became the face of the airline and in a special series of videos showcased all that it has to offer.

Chris Hemsworth’s ” The World’s Greatest Show”

One of the biggest experiences that took over Dubai was Expo 2020, a global gathering of nations all seeking solutions to the major challenges of our day and age.

It was a space of immense innovation showcasing the endless capabilities of the human mind. To truly place the event on the global map, Thor himself, Chris Hemsworth, was the face of a campaign describing the expo as “The World’s Greatest Show.”

We watch the heartthrob as he walks through the crowded expo, where digitally rendered Expo mascots (represented as colorful robots) greet visitors and play with Hemsworth. Using special effects, we see Hemsworth literally interact with the Expo space to showcase all that it has to offer.

Taking a look at all these ADs over the years, you’ll see how the UAE is a powerhouse when it comes to its tourism and travel campaigns. It mixes famous faces with super creative concepts. Tell us, which one is your favorite so far?

WE SAID THIS: Don’t Miss…Jason Momoa Named Yas Island’s New Chief Island Officer