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Dubai has quickly commanded a position as the main tourist hotspot in the Middle East. The region is one of the seven
Emirates which make up UAE and is a favoured stop off destination on long haul tours and is dominated by the eponymous chief
city of the area. Increasingly, Dubai has garnered a reputation as a holiday destination in its own right and is a new
favourite amongst European package holiday makers attracted by the sun, sand and abundance of cheap luxury and designer
goods.
Dubai was until recently not well known for tourism. How has Dubai managed to catch up with major tourism destinations such
as Hawaii, Cannes or Bali? Other destinations have spent decades building up reputations and infrastructure with the hope of
becoming a major travel destination.
Dubai has managed to surprise all hospitality and tourism experts. These experts did not expect any destination and
especially not one in the Middle East to become dominant player in the travel industry.
The city is dominated by the high rise luxury hotels which puncture the skyline and Dubai has placed itself at the higher end
of the holiday market. Heavy investment in the infrastructure of Dubai in recent years stems from the status of the Emirate
as an oil rich economy. Coupled with the income from tourism, Dubai is booming – a feature evident in the large scale
construction projects that permeate the cityscape.
Dubai is superbly located geographically as it’s situated at a point where Europe, Africa and Asia meet. This has benefitted
especially the MICE segment of the Dubai hotels and travel industry. MICE stand for the Meetings and Incentives branch of the
tourism industry.
Dubai has several world class facilities for trade shows and exhibitions including the ever so popular Dubai World Trade
Centre. Practically every day some form of event or exhibition is held in Dubai which brings thousands of businessmen each
day to this busy emirate.
Large number of luxurious business hotels in Dubai cater exclusively for these visitors.
The Dubai Hilton Beach hotel and the Jebel Ali resort for example offer great deals for families or visitors that can’t
afford the rates at the Burj Al Arab but still would like to stay at a 5 star Dubai resort along the beach.The beaches
attract a massive influx of travellers from around the globe as do the hotels which, in some cases, are a spectacle in
themselves as well as the tourist draws of the month long Dubai Shopping Festival, an abundance of championship quality golf
courses.
The nicest period of the year to travel to Dubai is from October until about April. During these months the weather in Dubai
cools down so that it’s ideal for travelers. The weather in July or August is unbearable with many local residents even
trying to get holiday so that they can take their family abroad to a place with more humane temperatures.
Whatever your intentions from a holiday in Dubai, it is possible to have a dose of history and culture as well as the modern
attractions within this emerging destination.The future of the Dubai tourism industry just keeps getting brighter and
brighter and there is no sign that the growth will slow down any time soon! |
