Dubai’s Burj Khalifa and the Museum of the Future have been nominated for a prestigious global initiative that aims to identify the Seven Contemporary Wonders of the World.

The campaign, launched by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), celebrates landmarks built since 1801 that have made a significant impact on tourism, local economies, employment, and cultural development.

What is Seven Contemporary Wonders initiative?

Unlike traditional lists that focus mainly on historical or architectural significance, the WTTC initiative recognises modern landmarks that have transformed destinations and contributed to economic growth.

The selection will consider factors such as:

• Architectural and engineering excellence.
• Cultural significance.
• Tourism appeal.
• Contribution to local economies.
• Job creation and investment.
• Positive impact on surrounding communities.

How will the selection process work?

The campaign will run over one year in four phases:

• July 7, 2026: Global nominations open.
• January 7, 2027: A shortlist of 70 landmarks is announced, followed by public voting.
• April 7, 2027: The list is narrowed to 30 finalists.
• July 7, 2027: The final Seven Contemporary Wonders of the World will be revealed.

People from around the world will have the opportunity to participate by nominating and voting for their favourite landmarks.

Why Burj Khalifa is a strong contender

Standing 828 metres tall, Burj Khalifa has been the world’s tallest building since its opening in 2010.

Construction took around six years and reportedly cost approximately $1.5 billion.

Beyond its record-breaking height, the skyscraper has become one of Dubai’s most recognised landmarks, attracting millions of visitors each year and helping transform Downtown Dubai into a global tourism, business, and lifestyle destination.

The tower features observation decks, luxury residences, office space and the Armani Hotel, making it one of the city’s most visited attractions.

Museum of the Future also makes the list

Dubai’s Museum of the Future has also been nominated.

Opened in February 2022, the landmark quickly became one of the UAE’s most photographed buildings thanks to its striking torus-shaped design adorned with Arabic calligraphy.

Built at a reported cost of around Dh500 million, the museum welcomed more than one million visitors from 163 countries during its first year and surpassed two million visitors from over 172 countries within its first two years.

Other Arab landmarks in the running

Several iconic landmarks from the Arab world have also been nominated.

Grand Egyptian Museum, Egypt

Located in Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum is the world’s largest archaeological museum dedicated to a single civilisation.

The project took more than 20 years to complete and officially opened in 2025. It houses around 100,000 artefacts, including the complete collection of King Tutankhamun’s treasures.

Grand Theatre of Rabat, Morocco

Designed by the late architect Zaha Hadid, the Grand Theatre of Rabat is one of Africa’s largest cultural projects and is expected to strengthen Morocco’s position as an international arts and cultural destination.

Other global icons nominated

The competition also includes some of the world’s most famous modern landmarks, including:

• Eiffel Tower (France)
• Sydney Opera House (Australia)
• Statue of Liberty (United States)
• Big Ben (United Kingdom)
• Petronas Twin Towers (Malaysia)
• Marina Bay Sands (Singapore)
• Jewel Changi Airport (Singapore)
• Sagrada Família (Spain)
• Guggenheim Museum Bilbao (Spain)
• Louis Vuitton Foundation (France)

A new chapter for modern landmarks

According to the WTTC, the initiative aims to recognise landmarks that not only inspire visitors but also create jobs, attract investment and support local communities.

The campaign builds on the legacy of the Ancient Seven Wonders and the New7Wonders initiative by highlighting the destinations that continue to shape global tourism in the modern era.

Public nominations are now open, with the final list of the Seven Contemporary Wonders of the World set to be announced on July 7, 2027.