- Area: 3,885km2, The surface area represents 5% of all of the UAE. Practically all of it belongs to the main section that goes along the Persian Gulf then stretches almost the way on to the border of Oman. Dubai’s other territory is a tiny enclave in the Hajar Mountains, bordering Oman.
- Bordering Sea: The Persian Gulf
- Languages: Arabic (official language), English, Urdu and Farsi
- Religion: Islam
- Primary industries: Commerce, oil and tourism
Climate
ClimateDubai has a dry subtropical
climate and rain is very rare. The hottest months are between June and
September – the temperature often tops 45°C during the day and the
humidity is very high. The temperature of the ocean can reach 37°C at
the hottest part of the summer. Hotel pools are cooled in the summer and
heated in the winter. October, November and April offer more reasonable
temperatures of between 30°C and 35°C, but the best months are from
December to March, when the average temperature is 24°C.
Why Buy In Dubai?
Why Buy In Dubai?- Open And Free Economic System: Dubai’s economy has been kept open and free to attract investors and business. Government control and regulation of private sector activities has been kept to a minimum. Liberal visa policies permit easy importation of expatriate Labour of various skill levels from almost all over the world.
- The fastest growing city on earth – largely due to a rapidly maturing, non-oil dependent economy and a government committed to liberal, free market, business-friendly policies and its can do attitude.
- Dubai’s economic diversification has been a startling success, with iconic property developments, free trade zones, new financial markets and tax free earnings for corporations and individuals, providing just some of the reasons for the city’s dynamic growth.
- Dubai has well established trading links with greater than 1.5 billion people in the neighboring region covering the Gulf, Middle East/Eastern Mediterranean, CIS, Central Asia, Africa and the Asian sub-continent.
- A world leader in enterprise and innovation has earned the city international accolades and established Dubai as a leading commercial, trading and tourism hub.
- A large market – more than $17 billion in domestic imports annually; gateway to a $150 billion p.a., 1.4 billion population regional import market.
- A prosperous market – strategic location at the heart of one of the world’s richest regions;
- A diversified market – wide import requirements; opportunities for suppliers of most products; An accessible market – served by more than 170 shipping lines and approx 100 airlines;
- An open market – no exchange controls quotas or trade barriers.
- A major venue for a number of growing, profitable industries and activities:
- Meetings, conferences, exhibitions
- Tourism
- Corporate regional headquarters
- Regional transport, distribution and logistics center
- Banking, finance and insurance
- Business and industrial consulting
- Information and communications technology
- Light and medium manufacturing
- Dubai operates a Free enterprise system:
- Highly developed transport infrastructure
- State-of-the art telecommunication
- Sophisticated financial and services sector
- Top international exhibition and conference sector
- High quality office and residential accommodation
- Reliable power, utilities etc
- First class hotels, hospitals, schools and shops
- Cosmopolitan lifestyle
Tourism
TourismThe attractions of Dubai:- A safe environment
- Natural assets from year-round sunshine, to beautiful beaches and an exotic desert landscape
- Infrastructure is unsurpassed in the region
- State-of-the-art airport
- 400 Luxury Hotels & Spa destinations including the Atlantis Hotel & Resort.
- Extreme sports (Desert Driving, Scuba Diving, Skiing etc)
- A variety of shopping options in ultra-modern malls or traditional souks.
- Iconic buildings and architecture
- Is classed a ‘must-visit’ destination. In 2008 Dubai attracted over seven million travelers
- Experiences an annual air passenger growth rate of 16%
- Over the past decade, the number of visitors to Dubai has grown from 600,000 to 6.5 million in 2006, representing an annual growth of around 16%. This growth rate is more than triple the world tourism growth rate over the same period. Over the Xmas period of 2006 – 2008, Dubai was the most favored destination for the British holidaymaker.
- The number of tourists is projected to reach 15 million by 2015. Arab markets generated 38% of arrivals, a share that has remained stable over the last decade. However, the strongest growth over the last few years has come from Northern Europe, its share rising to 30% in 2008. This emerging trend strongly suggests that Dubai is increasingly responding to the discriminating leisure preferences of Europeans.
The Hotel Industry
The Hotel IndustryAs Dubai is developing itself as a tourism destination, the hotel industry has grown considerably over the last decade.- Dubai hotel sector is set to expand dramatically over the coming years
- In 2007 Dubai hotel occupancy rates were the highest in the world at 86% and now gross more per room than any other city in the world.
- Occupancy rates in the 5* sector are even higher at 92%.
- Total hotel revenue in Dubai amounted to 2.9 billion USD last year, a staggering increase of 25% since 2006.
- In December 1999 Burj al-Arab opened, which is the world’s only 7* hotel and the tallest in Dubai. Its unique architecture is based on the curve of a wind-filled sail. The hotel is on an artificial island in the Arabian Gulf and, at 321 metres, it is the tallest hotel in the world. The Burj Al Arab has come to symbolise Dubai.
- The Jumeirah hotel group includes Al Qasr, Mina A’ Salaam, Jumeirah Emirates Towers and the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, most of which offer beaches and gardens along the shore. Al Qasr and Mina A’ Salaam are considered masterpieces of Arab and Islamic architecture that incorporate the latest technology. Jumeirah Emirates Towers includes one of the region’s best-known business hotels. Jumeirah Beach Hotel, uniquely shaped like a breaking wave, has wonderful beaches and gardens and is located next to Wild Wadi, one of the world’s biggest water-based theme parks.
Infrastructure
InfrastructureFor such a vibrant economy
to stay ahead of future demand, it is essential to build on the
Emirate’s existing transport, property and commercial infrastructure.World class infrastructure and service sector: Dubai’s deliberate policy of investing heavily in transport, telecommunications, energy and industrial infrastructure has enabled it to have one of the best infrastructure facilities in the world; it also contributed significantly both to its ongoing prosperity and attractiveness to international business. The Emirate features a network of seven industrial areas, one business park and three highly successful, specialized free zones of international distinction, two world class seaports, a major international airport and cargo village, a modern highway network, state-of-the-art telecommunications and reliable power and utilities all of which deliver efficiency, flexibility, reliability, reasonable cost and size.
Culture
CultureA modern, cosmopolitan city,
Dubai is today home to an exciting blend of cultures where people of
more than 200 nationalities co-exist in a vibrant international
environment that has become an icon for 21st century living.
Sports
SportsDubai hosts a number of popular world-class sporting events such as:- The Dubai World Cup – The world’s richest horse race
- The Dubai Desert Classic
- Dubai Rugby 7’s
- The new 2 Million USD “Road to Dubai” PGA European Tour event
- Men and women’s ATP Tennis tournaments
- The Formula 1 H2O speedboat-racing tournament that has been dominated in recent years by the UAE’s Victory Team.
- In 2006, Ski Dubai opened its doors at the Mall of the Emirates. The massive real snow ski slope is set in a constant temperature of -20C and features beginner and intermediate slopes, play areas and slides. Another huge hit for tourists, and a first for Dubai’s desert.
- Golf in Dubai is taking off as a sport – despite the climate. There are many golf courses including:
- The Arabian Ranches Golf Club
- Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club
- Dubai Country Club
- Emirates Golf Club
- Hyatt Golf Park
- Four Seasons Golf Club Dubai
- Jebel Ali Hotel and Golf Resort.
- Held at the Aviation Club Tennis Centre
- The stadium comprises a 5,000 seat centre court
- When not being used for the Dubai Tennis Championships the stadium is also an excellent court venue, having accommodating acts such as Sting, Gerri Haliwell, Bryan Adams, Venga Boys, Shaggy, Sash and Maxi Priest, while former world boxing champion, Chris Eubank, staged his first Middle East bout on centre court in 1997.
- The 2009 event will be its 40th year
- Emirates Airline has been the official sponsor since 1988
- First day consists of local and international invitational teams
- Days two and three sees the 16 sides compete for the Emirates International Trophy
- Over 1,750 players take part
- More than 12,000 overseas visitors attend
- South Africa are the reigning Dubai Rugby 7’s champions
- The temporary stadium constructed at the Exiles Ground can hold over 32,000 people
Quality Of Life
Quality Of LifeHigh quality of life,
excellent living conditions: Dubai’s private sector has invested heavily
in real estate such as hotels, residential and commercial properties,
recreational and leisure facilities. In addition, a number of factors
have contributed to the Emirate’s high quality of life and superior
living conditions making it a model location for many to emulate. Those
factors include excellent infrastructural facilities, low crime, clean
environment, tolerance and cultural diversity, cosmopolitan life style,
modern public administration, availability of a wide range of consumer
goods and services, mild winters and clean, palm fringed beaches.
Festivals And Events
Festivals And Events- The Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) is held once a year and has become a landmark event that draws visitors from around the globe. A variety of activities take place across the emirate, especially in shopping centre’s where consumers can win kilos of gold or luxury cars in raffles.
- Dubai Summer Surprises, a series of commercial and cultural events and entertainment was created to attract visitors during the slow season.
- The Dubai Air show is one of the biggest in the world and it takes place every second November.
Dining
DiningDubai’s cuisine reflects its
population, which is to say that it is very cosmopolitan. In addition to
the multitude of restaurants offering a taste of the UAE’s neighbouring
countries such as Lebanon and Iran, Indian and Continental food is also
widely available. Many of the restaurants are located in Dubai’s hotels
and, on a weekly basis; several have magnificent seafood buffets at
very affordable prices.
Must-Sees
Must-Sees- Dubai Museum traces the city’s growth with ingenious multi-media displays. The crafts, the ecology, the lives of sailors and pearl divers are presented in innovative ways.
- The Gold Souq is impressive for the sheer quantity of jewellery on display in more than 200 shops. Not far from here is the Spice Souq, which merits a visit for its tremendous variety and exotic aromas.
- Abra Trip one of the small wooden motorboats that ferries people across Dubai Creek, is a wonderful way to discover the emirate’s traditional charms. These include the Heritage Village, a great venue for traditional handicrafts in the making, and the dhows that transport goods to neighbouring countries.
- Mall of the Emirates whether you want to shop for that new pair of shoes in a designer boutique, catch the latest Hollywood blockbuster, enjoy a mouth-watering meal with family or friends or slalom gracefully down a ski hill. Mall of the Emirates has everything under one roof at the world’s first shopping resort.
- Dubai Mall is the world’s largest shopping mall, located in Dubai, part of the Burj Dubai complex, the 20-billion-dollar project has over 1,200 shops and also houses an indoor ice-rink. Also includes over 120 award winning restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy lunch or dinner overlooking the glorious water fountain displays.
