People are sitting at a restaurant in Dubai mall, United Arab Emirates January 12, 2018. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah/File Photo

DUBAI (Reuters) - Dubai has issued a circular requiring food organisations to give details on calories on all menus, the government media office tweeted on Sunday.

“The first phase will be introduced in November 2019 for restaurants with more than 5 branches. (The) second phase in 2020 for all restaurants, catering establishments and hotels,” it quoted a municipality circular as saying.

Dubai, the Gulf’s tourism hub known for its glittering skyscrapers and luxury properties, shops and restaurants, attracted 15.92 million overnight tourist visitors in 2018.

However, the emirate is suffering a property downturn and a slowdown in the retail sector as it gears up to host the World Expo trade fair in 2020.