Dubai is located, by plane 3 hours from Syria, 4 hours from Egypt or Lebanon, 7 hours to both London and Singapore, and 12 hours from New York City, and yet can instantly be connected to the rest of the world. While its physical location is so central, within a complex web of geopolitical forces, it remains somewhat removed from specific influences, a virtual island of mystique and cultural singularity.
For many centuries semi-nomadic tribes or clans known as Bedouins inhabited the area of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In contrast, the UAE’s short developing history of contemporary art and design is directly related to fundamental social and economic changes that have occurred over the past few decades, transitioning from a Bedouin trading state to modern trading cities. The world’s tallest building, mega shopping malls, indoor ski slopes, and seven-star hotels displaced the once dispersed adobes that were scattered throughout the desert landscape. Meeting places moved to air conditioned locations and virtual platforms. There has been significant international attention drawn to a series of high profile public and private initiatives intended to enhance the cultural life of the country, from international art fairs to the establishment of a plethora of galleries; and projects that can be considered as fulfilling the “architecture of the imagination.”
Dubai Infrastructure
The most modern of cities, Dubai has successfully implemented an integrated transport system, which links the fast expanding reaches of the urban landscape through road, rail and water transport options.
The scene is set on arrival at Dubai International Airport, gateway to more than 200 destinations on over 120 airlines. One of the busiest airports in the world, Dubai International Airport has hosted over 47.2 million passengers in 2011.
Propelled by impressive profits and international recognition, Emirates has acquired one of the world’s youngest and most modern fleets, with 162 wide-bodied aircraft in service, including 17 double-decker A380s. Looking ahead, Emirates will continue to expand its international network, with 73 A380s and 90 777-300 ERs included in its 240-plus aircraft order book.
Once on the ground, The Dubai Metro now provides a fast link to many of the city’s hotels as well as the major meeting venues, while conventional metered taxi services continue to offer speedy transfers via Dubai’s network of modern highways and bridges.
The initial 52-km red line of Dubai’s Metro opened in September 2009 as the longest automated rail transport system in the world, running on an elevated track from beyond the airport across Dubai Creek and up Sheikh Zayed Road, via the Dubai World Trade Centre to Jebel Ali. In Sep 2011 The Dubai Metro has started operation of its new green line. This new line is 22-km and serves 18 stations.
In addition, the Road Transport Authority (RTA) has introduced 700 feeder buses that connect Metro stations to other areas of the city, while a seven-car tram network along Jumeirah Beach to Dubai Marina will also link in with the Metro system. A water taxi system is operational along the coast and throughout Dubai Creek, serving the many attractions in these areas; Dubai truly offers a complete and integrated transportation system.
Things to Do
Places to Visit around Dubai
Dubai Gold/Spice Souk
Souk is the Arabic word for market and a visit to one is an essential part of the Dubai experience. The Gold souk will impress guests with its hundreds of shops lined with row upon row of gold jewellery. The picturesque alleys of the Spice Souk are extremely popular and filled with a variant of spices.
Burj Khalifa Downtown
Visit the observation deck on the 124th floor of the world’s tallest man-made structures ever built, at 818m (2,684ft) a total of 163 floors. Downtown Dubai is an inspired urban concept, which reconfirms Dubai’s status as a global player. Burj Khalifa is the pivotal axis for this revolutionary development.
Burj Al Arab
Designed to resemble a billowing sail, the Burj Al Arab Hotel soars to a height of 321 metres, dominating the Dubai skyline. Situated in the sea this iconic structure still stands to be the most photographed structure in the city.
The Walk-Jumeirah Beach
The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence is Dubai's only outdoor shopping experience by the beach offering breathtaking views over the Arabian Gulf and boasting world class retail outlets. The Walk offers a fresh approach to shopping in Dubai, moving away from glitzy mall interiors and bringing the high-street to Dubai.
Samples of Dubai Sightseeing Activities
Dubai City Tour
A three hour guided bus tour could start with some of Dubai’s new landmarks (Burj Khalifa, Burj Dubai, Atlantis on the Palm, etc) a stop at the beautiful Jumeirah Mosque, and then head for a drive along Jumeirah Beach Road until guests come to the Dubai Creek, lifeline and pulse of the city. Take a stroll through the narrow lanes of the historic Bastakiya area, with its beautifully restored buildings, and then on to the Al Fahidi Fort which houses the Dubai Museum. Cross the creek from the textile souks on an Abra (water taxi) and continue the exploration of Dubai's traditional souks; the spice souk is a sensory delight with a host of cooking spices, herbs, rose petals and incense. The trip ends at the glittering windows of the gold souk.
Evening Desert Safari
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and take a ride into the enchanting desert. This tour departs in the afternoon across the desert of Dubai with several photo-stops during an exciting dune drive to the first stop, a camel farm.
The drive continues across the desert with yet another short stop to watch the beautiful sunset before reaching the campsite where guests will have the opportunity to enjoy a camel ride, sand boarding and try out a henna design on their hands or feet. After working up an appetite enjoy a delicious barbecue dinner and shisha (the famous Arabic water pipe).
Evening Desert Safari – Sample Activities:
Group Pick up by 4x4 wheel Drive from hotel
Dune Bashing through the desert (20-30 minutes)
Sun Set Photography
Camel Rides
Belly Dancing
Henna Painting
Hubblee Bubblee (shisha)
Arabic Coffee (gahwa) and Fresh Dates
Traditional costumes
Unlimited soft drinks, tea coffee and mineral water
Buffet Dinner and B.B.Q. (vegetarian food also available on request)
Seawings Aerial City Tour
Seawings seaplane tours offer guests the opportunity to take an aerial sightseeing tour of Dubai in a Cessna 208 Caravan amphibian aircraft. The World Islands, Palm Islands, Jumeirah Beach, Dubailand, Sports City, Burj Al Arab, Burj Dubai, Maritime City, Port Rashid and Festival City are some of the popular tourist sites which will be seen on the Seawings scenic flight.
Art and Culture
Dubai Museum - Al Fahidi Fort
The Al Fahidi Fort, which was erected around 1787 to defend the city against invasion, offers a fascinating insight into the rich history and cultural heritage of the city. Renovated in 1971 for use as museum, its colorful life size dioramas vividly depict everyday life in the days before the discovery of oil. Galleries recreate scenes from the Creek, traditional Arab houses, mosques, the souk, date farms and desert and marine life.
Dubai Jumeirah Mosque
The Jumeirah Mosque is one of the only Mosques open to non-Muslims for special tours to give insights into Islam. It is one of the largest most beautiful Mosques and is a spectacular example of modern Islamic architecture.
Bastakiya
The old Bastakiya district is a step back in time to the days before electricity and air-conditioning, where traditional courtyard houses were cooled by wind towers. The old Bastakiya district with its narrow lanes and tall wind-towers gives a tantalizing glimpse of old Dubai.
The district is filled with traditional courtyard houses and classic wind towers, which offer a charming glimpse of how Dubai once looked. The surrounding historic buildings are home to museums, galleries featuring local artists, restaurants and markets.
Bab Al Shams- Al Hadheera Restaurant
Situated some 45 km southwards of Dubai, this heaven of tranquility has all the amenities. Experience the wide expanse of the desert, the magic of some lively entertainment at the region’s first open-air traditional Arabic desert restaurant.
Golf
Al Badia Gold Course – Intercontinental Festival City
The 18-hole, par-72 Al Badia course was designed on an oasis theme by internationally renowned golf architect Robert Trent Jones II. The championship course features abundant water, rivers of sand and plants indigenous to the Arabian Gulf. Providing a challenging round for the seasoned golfer, Al Badia is also welcoming for the recreational player.
Emirates Golf Club
Emirates Golf Club sports two championship courses, a friendly yet testing 9-hole Par-3 course. The Emirates Golf Academy boasts numerous practice facilities and two driving ranges. Redesigned by golf legend and six-time major winner Nick Faldo, Emirates Golf Club’s second course, The Faldo, combines a stunning visual design with the nuances and challenges of any championship course.
Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club
The par 71 course is a memorable journey from the first tee to the 18th green. The superbly manicured fairways are undulating, demarcated by mounds, date and palm trees, and most other times by water. Apart from the Creek, which comes into play on at least four holes, several artificial lakes add to the beauty and difficulty of various other holes.
Shopping
Dubai Mall
The Dubai Mall is the world's largest shopping mall based on total area. A key centerpiece is Dubai Aquarium, one of the largest tanks in the world at 51m x 20m x 11m and featuring the world’s largest viewing panel at 32.8m wide and 8.3m high. The mall comprised of 1,200 shops and is home to just about every major fashion brand in the world.
Mall of the Emirates
Guests will find designer brands to teen fashion, furniture, electronics, accessories, jewelry, shoes, bags, toys and books. Experience the only shopping mall which accommodates an indoor ski slope. Ski Dubai is the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East and offers an amazing snow setting to enjoy skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing, or just playing in the snow.
Wafi
Wafi is a unique destination in the heart of Dubai presenting an unrivalled collection of art, food, fashion, entertainment and lifestyle, the best the world and the region has to offer. Indulge in a unique shopping experience, with over 350 stores offering the world's most original, revered and influential brands, many of which are exclusive to Wafi. Whether it’s Art, Fashion, Food, Entertainment or Lifestyle, guests will find its most refined expression at Wafi
Dubai Visitor Essentials
Brief History of Dubai
The British regarded the Gulf region as an important communication link with its empire in India. In the late 1800s, with the agreement of the rulers; the Trucial Coast (as the area was known to Europeans) became a British Protectorate.
In 1966 Dubai's oil reserves were discovered and it was during this time Britain announced its withdrawal from the region, a move which was to have a significant impact on the political geography of the area. Under the wise and progressive leadership of Dubai's Ruler, Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, there was considerable government spending on infrastructure, education and healthcare, all part of a long-term plan to turn Dubai into a thriving cosmopolitan centre for business and tourism.
The UAE was formed in 1971, as a federation of the seven emirates (or sheikdoms) of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Kaimah, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Ruler of Abu Dhabi was elected as the first President of UAE and Sheikh Rashid as Vice- President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
Today the UAE President is Sheikh Zayed’s eldest son His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nayhan and the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai is His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
UAE Facts and Figures
Dubai is one of seven Emirates that make up the federation known as the United Arab Emirates and hosts 33% of the UAE population. Dubai is home to 1.8 million with an ever growing immigration rate. Only 12% are UAE nationals, and mainly other Arabs, Indians, Pilipinos, and western ex-pats constituting the remainder. Dubai is clearly the commercial hub in the region and one of the world’s leading trading centre.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum ruler of Dubai has identified the key thrust areas in Dubai’s strategic plan 2015 focusing on broadening the economic base and extension of diversification away from its former dependence on oil. Hence the sectors identified are retail trade, transport, tourism, industry and finance and the promotion of new high tech manufacturing industries and services.
The Economy
As the business hub of the Middle East Region, Dubai continues to invest in strategic infrastructure and transportation projects to support the growing service sectors and to ensure a stable economy. For 2010, Dubai has allocated nearly half of its budget (equivalent to $4.7bn) to guarantee the infrastructure improvements throughout the Emirate.
Considered one of Dubai’s greatest achievements, the attraction of foreign business and investment is likely to continue in the next years, thanks to world class free-trade areas such as the Jebel Ali Free Zone, Media City, Internet City, Dubai Silicon Oasis and Dubai Healthcare City. The UAE’s major exports include crude petroleum and re-exports. Major imports include machinery and electrical equipment, precious stones and metals, vehicles and transportation and base metals.
Population
The population of the UAE is estimated to be around 5.63 million and it is projected the population will rise in 2010 to 7.55 million. The population of Dubai is currently around 1.8 million and is increasing. As you would expect from such a cosmopolitan city, the population of Dubai consists of a melting pot of nationalities that includes expatriates from all over the world.
International Relations
The UAE is committed to the support of Arab unity but also remains open in its foreign relations. It has been a member of the Arab League and the United Nations since its formation in 1971 and is a member of the IMF, OPEC, WTO and many other respected organizations. It played a leading role in the formation of the Arab Gulf Co-operation Council (AGCC) and continues to be influential in the politics of the region. All major embassies and consulates are represented in Dubai and/or Abu Dhabi.
Geography
The UAE is situated on the Arabian Gulf between Qatar on the west and Oman on the east. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia in the south on the fringes of the Empty Quarter.
Considered the commercial capital of the UAE, Dubai is the second largest of the seven emirates. The emirate of Dubai and the constantly expanding city is roughly 35 square kilometers. Dubai’s coastline features many miles of beautiful fine, white sandy beaches. The desert extends from the southern fringes of the city to the border with Saudi Arabia. The eastern emirate of Fujairah, situated on the Gulf of Oman, is accessible via the spectacular Hajar Mountains.
Climate
The UAE has a sub-tropical, arid climate with daytime temperatures ranging from a low of about 10 degrees Celsius in January to a high of 48 degrees Celsius in August. Whatever the month it is always pleasant as all the venues, shops and restaurants are air-conditioned year round.
Security in Dubai
Rated by Interpol as one of the safest cities in the world, Dubai offers a low crime environment. Indeed, the Dubai crime rate appears to be significantly lower than most similarly sized metropolis cities.
The Dubai Police Department has created a dedicated department for tourists’ security and safety in the Emirate. In view of the above, the majority of travelers are not impacted by any crime. Congress Delegates can also have access to state of the art health facilities or availability of paramedics in hotels.
A Cosmopolitan Hub for Business and Tourism
Capitalizing on its central location between east and west, Dubai has expanded rapidly over the past decades with its economy now based around trade, manufacturing and tourism. Liberal regulatory conditions, free zones such as Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City and Dubai International Financial Centre plus excellent transport links have made the emirate the natural location for regional head offices for multinational companies as well as local enterprises. But the ‘Merchants’ City’ is about far more than business. Safe, tolerant and cosmopolitan, Dubai is an extraordinary leisure destination.
It offers a wealth of amenities, from pristine beaches and world-class hotels to upscale golf courses and first-class restaurants. ‘The City of Gold’ provides a broad spectrum of shopping experiences. Renowned for its ultra-modern shopping malls selling the latest designer labels, it also boasts a myriad of souqs (traditional marketplaces) selling everything from gold to spices.
Dubai presents a kaleidoscope of past and present. Wind towers sit beside glittering skyscrapers, desert dunes roll into green golf courses whilst luxury yachts sail the wind alongside traditional dhows. Against a backdrop of a carefully preserved heritage, Dubai is building a visionary future. The world’s tallest tower, Burj Khalifa, has been completed and the Palm Islands are a trio of man-made projects which is the first since the Great Wall of China to be visible from space.
It’s Dubai, where dreams become reality. Dynamic, progressive, advanced, Dubai attracts millions of visitors every year. Both a tax-free haven and a holiday resort, it appeals to both the business professional and the pleasure seeker.
The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, located on Dubai Creek, is a great place for visitors to gain a better understanding of UAE heritage and traditions, likewise are the Dubai Museum and Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum’s House at Shindaga.
Events
Dubai hosts many world renowned congresses, sporting and entertainment events, particularly during the cooler months from November to March. Some of the sporting events include three high profile
events: the Dubai Desert Classic (a stop on the Professional Golf Association tour), the Dubai Tennis Open (an ATP event) and the Dubai World Cup (the richest horse race in the world).
There are many new developments currently in construction including the Dubai Sports City which will further enhance Dubai’s attraction to world-class event organizers.
Language
The UAE’s national language is Arabic. However, English is widely spoken throughout Dubai, and appears on all street signs, so delegates should have no problems travelling around the city. The UAE is very tolerant and welcoming; foreigners are free to practice their own religion – indeed Christian churches have existed in Dubai for many years. Alcohol may be consumed at home, in hotels and on licensed club premises. The dress code is liberal. Women face no discrimination and are free to drive and walk around unescorted.
Culture and Heritage
Dubai’s culture is rooted in the Islamic traditions of Arabia. The UAE’s Rulers are committed to safeguarding their heritage against erosion caused by the speed of change.
They are keen to promote cultural and sporting events that are representative of their traditions such as falconry, camel racing and dhow sailing. Arabic culture in poetry, dancing, songs and traditional art are encouraged. Weddings and religious celebrations are still colorful occasions of feasting and music.
Visas
All passengers travelling to the UAE should have a passport valid for up to 6 months from the date of entry into the UAE.
There are several types of visas for visitors to Dubai.
Nationals of the following countries do not require visas to enter the UAE Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America, and Vatican City.
Please log onto to www.dnrd.gov.ae for a full list of countries.
