A visit to the Dubai Museum reveals that the first documented facts about Dubai came to light only in 1799. Strategically located on the Arabian Peninsula along the southern coast of the Persian Gulf, Dubai attracted a lot of foreign tradesmen who later moved to this city as they found lucrative opportunities for business. The discovery of oil in 1966 converted the economy of Dubai resulting in several expatriates honing in to capitalize on this fortune. The Arabs were shrewd enough to realize that the oil reserves were not a permanent source of revenue and introduced several liberal policies and tax free advantages inviting business and venture capitalists to visit Dubai for trade and commerce. Sheik Zayed, the President of the UAE, since it came into existence, utilized the revenues pouring in from oil and trade towards its economic growth and since then, Dubai has not looked back.
A visit to Dubai Desert city reveals how this little pearling and fishing establishment rose from humble beginnings to become a financial giant in the region. Dubai focused on trade and tourism and lured tourists and foreigners to travel to Dubai and venture in profit making activities. Travel to Dubai was mainly by sea as traders used this mode to bring in machinery and tools. Today, Dubai has come a long way with top-notch innovations, state-of-the-art high rise buildings, and an un-yielding urge to make the Emirate the biggest, largest, highest and the BEST!
Travel to Dubai by air as it is the fastest and best mode. The Dubai International Airport makes a style statement as the largest regional and commercial hub in the whole of the UAE. An inter-continental transit center serving more than a hundred destinations, a wide range of duty free shopping is also well displayed and available even if one does not visit Dubai city. Alcohol is particularly inexpensive and four units are allowed per individual.
At a glance, Dubai easily vies with the most expensive cities in the world. Accommodation is ultra-modern for the very rich and artisans and craftsmen are flown in from all over the world to design and execute works. Sprawling mansions and villas ooze extravagance and flair. Travel to Dubai for the finest crystal, cutlery, linen and accessories which are imported from all parts of the world. Expatriates living in Dubai do not have to pay taxes on their salaries or for goods, resulting in a lifestyle of fine living, dining, lazing on the white sandy beaches, and indulging in expensive activities like racing, golfing or indoor-skiing.
Travel Dubai is relatively inexpensive as airlines vie with each other to offer enticing airfares to tourists and business entrepreneurs. The environment for commerce and economics is vibrant with its state-of-the-art internet facilities which lend its own value added platform. Visit Dubai and one is amazed at its comprehensive and unique business technologies which has given it a stronghold in the global market.
With its tax free policies, more and more industries have mushroomed in Dubai. While Petroleum is still the leading industry, it also deals with manufactured goods like liquid gas, ready-made garments, and cement and electric cables, to name a few. Travel Dubai and gorge on the luscious dates of this desert city. Fish, frozen and dried are traditional commodities in Dubai which are freely available in the local markets.
While the official language is Arabic, English is commonly used throughout the Emirates in every sector. Non-Muslims beliefs and forms of worship are tolerated in this part of UAE. Dubai has very strict laws against crime and the punishment is very severe hence the crime rate including petty crimes, is very low. They even leave their souks unattended during prayer time. Gold ornaments and electronic goods are all left open with minimum covering to indicate that the shop owner is away at the mosque.
November to March is the best period of the year to visit Dubai as it has a sub-tropical arid climate for the most part of the year. Houses, Taxis, Buses are generally air-conditioned to combat the sometimes harsh climate. Offices and restaurants regulate the temperatures effectively so that proper dress codes can be adopted. Generally light cotton clothing is the way to go except during November to March when temperatures can drop.
To travel Dubai requires a visa except for the nationals of AGCC. To get a travel document or a visa is not difficult. Group visas can also be obtained by tourists who visit Dubai. Cargo and commerce vessels ply between Dubai and other continents like India, East Africa and the Far East. “Abras” or small boats ply the creek shuttling passengers quickly and pleasantly. The Road Transport system incorporates buses and taxis.
A visit to Dubai is incomplete if you do not shop till you drop! From gold souks to local quaint markets, there are innumerable malls catering to every individual. These malls are so huge; one can spend considerable time just walking through them. The Dubai Summer Surprises and the Dubai Shopping Festival attracts tourists to visit Dubai. Travel to Dubai during this time and savor the exotic mix of Arab and Western multi-continental cuisine, and enjoy the luxurious hotel accommodation deals the city has to offer.
Visit Dubai’s various themed and amusement parks, marvel at the Burj Dubai structure which stands largest in the world even before completion stage, cool off at the indoor-skiing resort, Snowdome, also in the process of finishing, check out Burj al-Arab hotel which claims to be the only seven star hotels in the world. To enter the hotel, reservations have to be made a few days in advance but it is worth the wait.
Travel to Dubai’s International Jazz Festival or the International Film Festival, both are very well attended by tourists from all over the world. Here multi- cultural festivities, arts with an ethnic diversity immediately strike you when you visit Dubai. For excitement visit Dubai’s Indoor Skiing centers opened at malls or the phenomenal Snowdome being built in Dubai land and experience the winter wonderland in a desert city. Lands have been reclaimed from the sea to make artificial islands with housing developments on the Palm Spring Islands which are the most coveted with the rich and famous. Visit Dubai to view this awe-inspiring innovation which is both futuristic and modern.
The Queen Elizabeth II has been bought over after her last cruise with the intention of converting it into a luxury hotel and is anchored off the Palm Jumeirah. The recently opened Dubai Aquarium at the Dubai Mall has entered the Guinness Book of Records for its largest acrylic panel which houses roughly about 30,000 marine fish. It is no wonder then that Dubai life-style boasts of a very high standard of living. Accommodation prices are sky-rocketing with the introduction of the Dubai Internet City and the Dubai Media City. The gregarious Arabs know how to splurge wisely and live like royalty. The expatriates unanimously agree that the luxurious life style they lead, the tremendous savings in their tax free earnings and excellent accommodation make Dubai on par with Singapore and the United States.