Dubai, UAE » Entertainment » Outdoor Activities

Sporting activity has started to play a major role in the city of Dubai in recent years. Especially, with Dubai Sports City in Dubailand continuing its vigorous development it could even be responsible for hosting the Olympic games one day. With Dubai’s supreme horse racing tracks, golf courses and its long awaited Formula 1 autodrome, it is surely a sportsman’s paradise city.

There are plenty of activities to get involved in, whether you want to sit back and enjoy watching your favourite sport, or wish to participate in a thrilling activity for those exciting adrenaline rushes, then Dubai has the answer.

Outdoor Activities

Aerial Tours

Dubai by air is a spectacular sight that will be unforgettable. Helicopters and plane tours and even hot air balloon rides over the city will give u a birds-eye perspective to the wonder that is called 'Dubai'. Some trips take tourists across the city, and over the desert and the Hajar Mountains. Experienced pilots with a valid license can hire aircrafts from Dubai Flying Club on an hourly rental basis. Contact Details: Amigos Balloons

Camel Racing

This traditional sport has been renewed with much enthusiasm in recent years. Informal desert tracks, and now quite a few official ones have been assigned for this purpose - a large ten kilometer track on the Al Ain road, about forty-five kilometers from Abu Dhabi city; at Al Ain itself, at Dubai and Umm Al Quwain.

Certain slender, finely formed breeds such as the white or golden 'Anafi' and the brown or black 'Boushari' are more suitable for racing. Camel training commences at about six months and entrance for official races beginning at about three years.

Camel races are usually held every Thursday, Friday, Sunday and occasionally on Monday mornings, providing visitors with a unique opportunity to observe local Emiratis in harmony with their surroundings. Camel racing season begins in October until April.

Creek Tours

The Dubai Creek can be explored with the help of an organised creek tour. It is a great way to see new and old Dubai side by side whilst enjoying a peaceful and relaxed journey. Many of the tours are carried out by traditional wooden dhows or Abras (the traditional water taxi) which takes you on a short journey across the waterway from the glass-and-steel office blocks of Bur Dubai to the old-world Souks of Deira, providing a fascinating glimpse of Dubai's trading heritage.

Contact Details: Creekside Leisure

Desert Safaris

Trips to the desert in groups can be a great way to explore the outdoors and meet other people, as well as finding out a little bit more about the Arabic culture. Safaris generally last for half a day and can include an overnight stay in one of the Bedouin tents.

Activities available include:

1. Wadi-Driving - This is a popular pastime with both residents and visitors. This involves discovering the wadis or dry beds of streams that flow after winter rains from the Hajar mountains.
2. Dune driving - Driving in sand can be a thrilling experience by itself and this combines the excitement of a roller coaster ride with the challenge of remaining mobile on the shifting surface. Courses in sand driving are available, with four-wheel-drive vehicles provided, along with expert instruction.
3. Sand-Skiing - Those with a desire for speed, a head for heights and enthusiasm will enjoy an unusual sport, sand-skiing down the dunes of the Dubai desert.
4. Desert Feasts - Safaris are made more pleasurable by culminating into an evening with spectacular sunset views followed by a traditional Arab barbecue under the stars. You can even tailor your evening to your need and round it off with some great Arabic music and belly dancing, the smoking of hubble-bubble pipes and often a display of falconry.

Fishing

The Gulf is rich in marine life, and fishing was once a mainstay of the local economy. Kingfish, jackfish, red snapper, rock cod (the popular Hamour on most Dubai menus), barracuda and other species are caught commercially and not for sport. Sailfish and bottom-feeding sharks are regularly caught by visiting fishermen who can hire fully-equipped boats, with crew, for deep-sea fishing trips.

Contact details: Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club

Golf Courses

Dubai is a golfer's paradise. The Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club and the famous Emirates Golf Club are the venues of the European PGA tour. The Nad Al Sheeba Golf and Racing Club even offers night golf at night for the enthusiasts who want to beat the summer heat of Dubai!

Contact Details: Arabian Ranches Golf Club

Telephone: 04 366 3000

Horse Racing

The sport of kings has rapidly become Dubai's most popular spectator event, attracting crowds of more than 15,000. Race meetings are held weekly during the cooler months at one of the UAE's four race courses. Dubai Racing Club situated at the Naad Al Sheba is the city’s largest and most spectacular track and home to the Dubai World Cup - the sport's richest horse race.

Horse riding is part of the local tradition and is upheld today by several centres including the Dubai Equestrian Centre and Jebel Ali Hotel Riding Stables. Horse rides through the desert are organized regularly and Dubai also has a riding association for the disabled.

Contact details: Zabeel stables

The Double Decker Bus

Straight from the streets of London to the highways and roads of Dubai, these highly visual, vintage double-decker buses provide fun for everyone whatever the occasion. With lots of unique activities for all ages, Dubai's only red double-decker buses provide an exclusive party venue, eye-catching promotional media, or just a fun way to add interest to a corporate or public event.

Contact Details: The Double Decker

Entertainment Parks

Magic Planet:

Housed in the giant Deira City Centre shopping mall, this children's entertainment centre is a unique indoor site with 10 pin bowling, a crawling bungie jungle, a variety of electronic games and a mini pitch and putt.

Wild Wadi

Imagine 12 acres of desert filled with 30 million litres of water, solely dedicated to having fun. That is Wild Wadi in Dubai, with 23 rides to entertain and excite every member of the family. This has been more than just a shelter for those wanting to escape the heat of the desert. Adrenaline seekers will love Jumeirah Sceirah - a 33-meter high slide with steep angles to propel riders up to 80km per hour. There is also Breakers Bay, which has a wave machine creating 1.5-meter waves all day.

Contact Details: Wild Wadi Water Park

Tel: 04 3484444

Wonderland

The 18 hectare Wonderland family fun park features a wide range of water attractions including speed slides, surf hills, wave runners and a Caribbean cruise. It is closed on Sundays, Wednesdays are for Ladies only and Thursdays are for Families Only.

Tel: 04 3241222

Indoor Activities

Galleria Ice Rink

The rink offers all the thrills and chills of ice skating, and professional ice skaters are available for private tuition. You can call: 971 4 209 6551 to make a reservation. The team will also take enquiries for cool kids' parties, which can be organized for a maximum of 15 children.

Tel: 04 2096550

Go Karting

Dubai has the first Middle East fully-equipped 40,000 sq. ft air-conditioned indoor go-kart facility at Formula One. Outdoors, an active go-karting fraternity races regularly at the track beside the Jebel Ali Hotel. Visitors can enjoy this sport during the months of Oct-May.

Contact details: Emirates Kart Centre

Thunder Bowl

Thunder Bowl is the first of its kind in the Middle East, and its concept is based on similar centres in America and Europe, which have proved to be very popular. Thunder Bowl has successfully incorporated the traditional game of bowling, with state of the art technology from the Brunswick Corporations, USA. To further enhance its appeal, Thunder Bowl also offers its customers a complete leisure entertainment package, which includes: 20 state of the art bowling lanes by Brunswick Corporation, Pool & Snooker Hall, Haagen Dazs Ice Cream Parlor, A & W Burger Restaurant, Pizza Inn, Allewan Restaurant & Cafe - Arabic Restaurant, Bowling Pro Shop, Network/ Cyber Games Cafe and Video Games Arcade. Located in the former Safestway Supermarket, on Sheikh Zayed Road near the Defense Round About, Thunder Bowl allows easy access to its customer with ample car parking for over 300 cars.

Tel: 04 3431000

More activities and further contact information

Archery:

Hatta Fort Hotel Tel.: 04 852 3211

Jebel Ali Shooting Club Tel.: 04 883 6555

Bird Watching:

Falconry Tel.: 04 206 4609

Cruising:

Bateaux Dubai Tel.: 04 399 4994

Charlotte Anne Charters Tel.: 09 222 0538

Danat Dubai Cruises Tel.: 04 351 1117

El Mundo Tel.: 04 343 4870

Club Mina, Le Meredian Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina

Tel.: 04 399 3333

Yacht Solutions Tel.: 04 348 6838

Diving:

P.A.D.I & B.S.A.C Tel.: 04 342 2993

Fishing:

Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club Tel.: 04 205 4646

Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa Club Tel.: 04 883 6000

Le Meredian Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina Tel.: 04 399 3333

Yacht Solutions Tel.: 04 348 6838

Flying:

Aerogulf Service Company Tel.: 04 220 0331

Eastern Skyjets Tel.: 04 299 5822

Emirates Flying School Tel.: 04 299 5155

Fujairah Aviation Centre Tel.: 09 222 4747

Umm Al Quwain Aeroclub Tel.: 06 768 1447

Hot Air Ballooning:

Amigos Balloons Tel.: 04 289 9295

Balloon Adventures Dubai Tel.: 04 273 8585

Voyagers Extreme Tel.: 04 345 4504

Karting:

Dubai Autodrome Tel.: 04 367 8700

Emirates Kart Centre Tel.: 04 2827 111

Formula One Dubai Tel.: 04 338 8828

Mountaineering:

Mountain Extreme Tel.: 050 450 5426

Mini Golf:

Hatta Fort Hotel Tel.: 04 852 3211

Hyatt Golf Park Tel.: 04 209 6741

Paintballing

Next to Wonderland Theme & Water Park,

Garhound Bridge, Tel: 050 651 4583

Paragliding:

Micro Aviation Club Tel.: 050 483 0915

Polo:

Arabian Ranches Tel.: 04 884 6556

Ghantoot Polo Club Tel.: 02 562 9055

Shooting:

Hatta Fort Hotel Tel.: 04 852 3211

Jebel Ali Shooting Club Tel.: 04 883 6555

Skydiving:

Umm Al Quwain Aeroclub Tel.: 06 768 1447

Water Parks:

Wald Wadi Tel.: 04 348 4444

Spalshland Tel.: 04 324 1222

Dreamland Aqua Park Tel.: 06 768 1888

Water sports:

Dubai offshore Sailing Club Tel.: 04 394 1669

Dubai Water sports Association Tel.: 04 324 1031

Dusail LLC Tel.: 04 396 2353

Dubai, UAE » Entertainment » Shopping Centres

Dubai is labelled the "shopping capital of the Middle East". With so many shopping malls and souks, there is no better place to find products at unbeatable prices. It is truly a duty free shopper's paradise that gives you more for your money. Dubai's numerous shopping centres cater for every consumer’s need. Cars, clothing, jewellery, electronics, furnishing, sporting equipment and any other goods will all be likely to be under the same roof.

Dubai's Shopping Centres

Al-Ain Shopping Centre - located in Bur Dubai, on Al-Mankhool Road, this electronic centre specialises in computers. The shops offer all sorts of peripherals and accessories for PC’s, such as external hard drives and USB gadgets. There is also a decent range of digital cameras. Opposite the Al-Ain centre is the Al-Khaleej shopping centre which caters for similar needs, although it comprises of fewer shops.

Tel: 04 351 6914

Al – Ghurair City - located in Deira, this shopping centre caters for those especially seeking traditional Emirati clothes. It is the oldest mall in Dubai, shops here offer stylish abayas and shaylas and Arabic jewellery and rugs. This shopping centre also includes well known outlets such as Paris Gallery and Nine West.

Tel: 04 223 2333

Burjamen Centre - this shopping centre concentrates mostly on the high end of the market, offering premium brand shops and luxury boutiques such as Dolce & Gabbana, Cartier, Calvin Klein and Tiffany. It is located near Khalid bin al-Waleed (Bank St.) and Trade Centre roads.

Tel: 04 352 0222

Deira City Centre – this shopping centre is not as fancy as most of the ones mentioned below but still competes well with its rational lay-out of shops. Like a lot of the other malls it offers a wide seletion of outlets such as Debenhams, Virgin Megastore, Zara and other international high street brands. It includes a multiplex cinema amongst a spread of restaurants and cafes. Deria City Centre is also home of the “Arabian Treasures” souvenir and traditional textiles area. There is a Carrefour hypermarket attached which is usually very busy.

Tel: 04 295 1010

Dubai Festival City – this interconnected shopping centre, branded as a retail resort of its own, opened in 2007 and has been popular ever since. It holds around 600 stores, features out-door performances and 100 restaurants and cafes, as well as being the home of three major hotels. The centre presents so much variety, including well known shops like Mark Jacobs, Marks & Spencer and IKEA. Overall the shopping centre is set over an enormous 2.8 million square foot and its location by the water offers picturesque abra rides.

Tel: 04 213 6213

Emirates Towers Boulevard - this shopping centre is located on Sheikh Zayed Road in the Emirates Towers where Sheikh Mohammed’s office is. Therefore there is very tight security in this mall and it mostly attracts wealthy people who can afford to shop in exclusive designer shops. Brands include - Armani, Gucci and Jimmy Choo.

Tel: 04 330 0000

Ibn Battuta Mall – this shopping centre is located on Sheikh Zayed Road. It is the most unique and captivating mall in Dubai, having been separated into six different themes from the countries Ibn Battuta travelled to. These countries include: China, India, Persia, Egypt, Tunisia and the Andalusia. There is an eclectic row of shops to investigate and there is a golf-cart shuttle to help you get around. A recommended shop to view is Mumbai Se, a collection of Indian accessories from bejewelled mandarin tunics to hand-crafted bags. This fascinating shopping centre also has a permanent exhibition of Islamic science, invention and astronomy.

Tel: 04 362 1900

Karama Shopping Centre - located in Bur Dubai, this popular souk-like area includes a bundle of small shops scattered along a busy backstreet. The shops offer handicrafts, souvenirs and accessories. Here you can purchase fake designer clothes and handbags at bargain prices.

Mall of the Emirates - near the 4th interchange on Sheikh Zayed Road, this is one of the largest shopping centres in Dubai. It houses more than 200 shops, including international high street chains, luxury brand shops, boutiques such as Charles & Keith, and craft shops like the popular Al-Jaber Gallery. Furthermore, the well known food outlet, Carrefour, is attached to the centre. The mall of the emirates also includes many restaurants and cafes and more importantly offers the chance to ski and even watch movies at the multiplex cinema, all under one roof.

Tel: 04 409 9000

Mercato Mall - this shopping centre is on Jumeirah Road and is the only Renaissance-themed shopping centre in Dubai or even in the whole of the Middle-East perhaps. Whilst there is not as much choice as you would find in a larger centre it still includes many trendy shops like Mango, Next, Massimo Dutti, Topshop and Virgin Megastore. There are also several restaurants to dine in.

Souk Madinat Jumeirah – located on Jumeirah Road, this is another of Dubai’s popular shopping centres. Its Arabian architecture with arched wooden ceilings assists to its resemblance of a traditional souk. The Souk Madinat Jumeirah can be quite confusing; with its dim lighting and identical passage ways you may end up walking into the same shops, tempting you to buy yet some very intriguing souvenirs but can be overpriced.

This shopping centre attracts mainly tourists, being right next to the landmark hotel Burj Al Arab, and boasts many licensed bars and restaurants along the waterfront keeping the crowds satisfied.

Tel: 04 348 8797

Wafi Shopping Centre – located on Al-Qataiyat Road this mall mostly focuses on luxury brands, jewellery and expensive boutiques such as Chanel and Givenchy. The Egyptian themed architecture in the new wing includes beautifully stained-glass pyramids which are worth seeing. A luxury spa is also attached to the complex, as well as many bars which are licensed.

TIP: Several malls have a large Carrefour, or similar, hypermarket where you will find the lowest cost electronics.

The best places in Dubai for Gold and Jewellery shopping

Gold Souk – located in Deira, this is a very impressive historic market containing hundreds of shops offering all kinds of jewellery. There are many stunning items such as pearl necklaces, diamond rings and gold bangles to choose from. It is the largest gold market in Dubai located at the mouth of the Creek and is a must see for tourists.

Gold & Diamond Park – at interchange 4 on the Sheikh Zayed Road, this Arabian designed centre contains over 30 retailers, and over 100 manufacturers willing to negotiate good deals on gold and diamond jewels.

Dubai Tourism Information - Tourism at its Best

Dubai Tourism Information - Tourism at its Best



Over the years Dubai tourism has become one of the major segments of Dubai’s economy. With Dubai becoming the centre of tourist attraction, it has drawn visitors from the different corners of the earth.


Tourism in Dubai City has developed in such a way that at present there are numerous tourism companies that provide the perfect Dubai tourism.

Historical venues

The tourism here will offer you a glimpse of the glorious past of Dubai. The various historical venues covered by the tourism go a long way in showing you the rich culture and heritage of the city.

The Dubai Museum in Al Fahidi Fort, Bin Muzaina House, Bait Al Wakeel, Burj Nahar, Heritage Village & Diving Village, Heritage House, Majlis Ghorfat Um-Al Sheif, Sheikh Saeed’s House, Hatta Heritage Village, the Bastakiya and the old souks and Bedouin villages will give you evidences of the same.

Entertainment


Dubai tourism offers you a wide array of sports and entertainment to choose from. Golf is perhaps the most popular sport in Dubai. You can get a proof of this in the innumerable golf courses like the Arabian Ranches Golf Club, Al Badia Golf Resort, Dubai Country Club, Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, Emirates Golf Club, etc.

There are several racecourses, especially camel racecourses that provide you with some sport as well. Sand skiing is also very popular in Dubai. Among the other sources of entertainment you could find bird watching, safaris, and excursions, Dhow Cruise, Wonder Bus, Wild Wadi, Wonderland, Dubai Zoo and Dubai Summer Surprises.

The Dubai tourism can also make top grade nightlife and excellent wining and dining options available for your entertainment.

Shopping

With the help of the wide variety of shopping alternatives in Dubai, tourism can make shopping a matter of great delight for you. The low taxes on imports have further helped in making shopping in Dubai more popular.

Bargaining will be a characteristic feature of your shopping. The souks in Dubai bring forth for you brilliant gold jewelry, ethnic carpets, traditional cuisine and other household goods. 

You will also find modern malls like Lamcy Plaza, Al Hana Centre, BurJuman Centre, etc. that offer a state of art shopping experience.
And please don't forget: We're looking for YOUR stories, experiences and tips from any Dubai vacations, tourism, or holidays you've been on. Why not take a few moments and Share your Dubai Information With Us!

Do You Have An Interesting Information on Dubai City to share..?

Do You Have An Interesting Information on Dubai City to share..?

We would love to hear about your best experiences, your most interesting information on Dubai... anything about the Dubai City that you'd love to share.

If you've been to Dubai City and adore it, please send what you love most about the Dubai, or what your best time/place/happening has been. Here are just a few examples of great information on Dubai to start you off...

top "secret" tip
favorite "off-the-beaten-track" restaurant
excellent romantic place in Dubai City
whatever you'd like to share with other visitors as your "#1"!


To contribute, fill in this form below with your story/information/tip on Dubai. We'll turn your Best of Dubai City information into a Web page. 

So include lots of interesting information on the Dubai City and your adventure, and tons of fun details right now! 

NOTE: If you'd like to send us some digital photos with your story, please mention it. We'll write back to let you know how to send them. 
Share Your Personal "Information on Dubai"

Dubai Property - In Rising Demand

Dubai Property - In Rising Demand



Till the recent past there were restrictions on the sale of Dubai property to foreigners. However, this restriction has been lifted thereby making the property market in Dubai extremely dynamic.


There are a lot of people buying and selling properties in Dubai and the motion of the market has been exceptional in a time as short as 3 years.

An evaluation - Dubai Property

You may be aware of the fact that Dubai had been an economy that was based on its oil resource. This resource is gradually being drained out and Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum the ruler of Dubai has been making attempts to shift the base of the economy to other industries like commerce, finance and tourism.

The property and real estate market in Dubai has shown as marked improvement in the Gross Domestic Product that it has generated. In fact there are projects of a sum of $42.5 that are still undergoing construction. The current income from rent of property in Dubai ranges from 8 to 10%.

Dubai Property - Advantages


The increasing demand of Dubai property can be explained to some extent by the advantages that you are likely to enjoy as an owner. You can get a Residence Visa if you buy property in Dubai. The cost of the property is relatively low here.

You will only be required to pay the registry fee and are no legal fee or stamp duty otherwise. If you are a foreigner you can get mortgages to buy real estate. The quality of the completed properties in Dubai is very good.

If you buy property or rent it you will not be expected to pay any capital gains tax or income tax. An ownership of property in Dubai can be further desirable, as it is a nice city where there is hardly any crime. Despite being an Islamic city it practices tolerance.

Dubai Property - Future Prospects

Owning property in Dubai can be quite fruitful for you in the long run as the future prospects in the market looks bright. The expectation of its capital growth is estimated to be more than 15% p.a.

With upcoming features like the World, the largest shopping mall, the first underground hotel, the tallest building and various other attractions it is inevitable that the cost of property will be sky high in future. This is lucrative enough for you invest in the property in Dubai.

More Useful Dubai Property Articles
Buying Property in Dubai 
Dubai Property Investment Guide 
Dubai Property Law

Dubai Resorts - The Ultimate Indulgence

Dubai Resorts - The Ultimate Indulgence




Are you Looking for Dubai Resorts?

Over the time Dubai has swiftly earned the reputation of being one of the most sought after places in terms of not only tourism but also business.


As a result of this Dubai has tried its best in providing accommodation to its valuable visitors. Due to this attempt you will find a huge variety of hotels in Dubai.

However, there are times when you want to be indulgent enough to opt for luxurious Dubai resorts instead of the reasonable hotels.

Variety

You may feel flabbergasted by the wide variety of Dubai resorts that you are bound to find in Dubai. You can find Beach Resorts in Dubai overlooking the vast Arabian Sea and bringing with it wafts of fresh salty sea breeze or even a Desert Resort.

You can also get a resort in the heart of the city, which will ease your traveling through the city. You may also fin special Spa Resorts to take the perfect break from the stress of everyday life. If you are thinking of some sports then what better way to spend your vacation than spending it at a Golf Resort.

Facilities


Besides completely furnished and decorated rooms you can also get a personal balcony overlooking a picturesque view and a mini bar. Dubai City Resorts generally offer you with sumptuous feasts and loads of entertainment.

If the resorts have spas, massage facilities, golf courses, a library, tennis courts, swimming pools, private beaches, lush gardens and Bedouin set-ups you can enjoy them all. Different resorts have different facilities to offer. If you want to use the resort for a meeting, a party or for that matter a wedding suitable arrangements will easily be made.

Cost

Again cost of the Dubai Resorts will vary according to the various services they offer. For instance a single room at the Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort & Towers will cost you around 145 US dollars while a double room will cost something around 172 dollar.

Again the Al Maha Desert Resort will offer you a single Bedouin suite and a double Bedouin suite for 1476 US dollars and 1599 US dollars respectively. Most Dubai resorts include your breakfast in the cost paid for the rooms.

Travel to Dubai - Travel Information on Visit Dubai City

Travel to Dubai - Travel Information on Visit Dubai City




When to Travel to Dubai


If you have read even a bit about Dubai, it will come as no surprise the summer months are not the best time to travel Dubai.

If you are planning a vacation in or around Dubai, the best time to visit Dubai would be in the winters when the evening Dubai weather is wonderfully cool (almost to the extent of being cold as you move closer to the dessert). 
Do I need a Visa to Travel to Dubai?

If you are planning to be in Dubai for more than a fortnight stay, you would need to get a 'sponsor' who can get you the visa. The easiest is to get a transit visa when you land at Dubai Airport but that is limited to a certain hours and works best when you are there for a short vacation. Read more about Dubai Visa here… 

How to Travel to Dubai UAE
Air connectivity is excellent in Dubai and if you have trouble getting direct connections, you can opt for Abu Dhabi which is a short 45 minutes drive to Dubai. The Dubai International Airport is impressive to say the least and offers enough amenities to let you spend a few hours there without even noticing the passage of time. Though Dubai offers good waterway connections, it is recommended only if you are taking an onward cruise from the Emirate. There are no medical check requirements for travel Dubai but if might be a good idea to take anti-malaria shots just in case. 

Is it safe to travel to Dubai?
Dubai has been getting plenty of foreign attention thanks to all the construction work going on there and the way the new properties are being marketed to Americans and Europeans. This makes it a safe city and the strict rules of the land relating to petty crimes also add a degree of safety to it. However, it is still advisable to do a quick check to your travel directives on your country web site. 

Jews Travel to Dubai UAE
Though most countries show extensive religious tolerance to visitors, Dubai does carry some strict rules when it comes to Jews visiting the United Arab Emirates. The current law of the land bans Jews from entering Dubai and visas are not issued to them. 

Other than this, Dubai is tolerant to all religions and does not have any major restrictions which one needs to worry about when planning a trip to Dubai.

Experience Luxury Dubai City - The Call of the Desert

Experience Luxury Dubai City - The Call of the Desert


Dubai is a beautiful city to visit. It is a cosmopolitan city that has been exposed to innumerable cultures. The number of languages spoken is one of the many proofs that show the cosmopolitan nature of the Dubai city. Despite this the city has succeeded in conserving its rich culture and heritage. 

Among the seven emirates in the UAE Dubai comes second in terms of its size. Situated in the North-Eastern part of UAE it reaches the old village of Hatta. 

When to Go: The city could be the perfect getaway when if you are looking for sunshine and warmth. The period between November and March is said to have the best climate and therefore the best time to visit Dubai. The early months of the year also have the attraction of the Dubai Shopping Festival where you can shop till you drop. 

Getting There & Around: You can easily get to the city on direct flights, as the city has an excellent international airport that is rated among the world's 10 best airports. You can get flights from important cities of the world. 

Getting around the city is also easy as you can conveniently avail of the rented cars, comfortable and reasonable taxis and numerous public buses. 

Accommodation in Dubai: Being in a major tourist city you can get varied lodging options to choose from. You can access the airport from any point of the city. However, staying at Bur Dubai, located at the heart of the city, will help you to commute to the other parts of the city with greater convenience. Plenty of hotels can be found here. 

Things to do in Dubai: 

You will find the city beautiful with plenty of attractions like the Museum, Creek, Jumeira Mosque, Wonderland, Wild Wadi, Desert Safari, Wonder Bus, etc. 

You can also shop extensively at the contemporary shopping complexes. Shopping is not a new trend here. You can enjoy shopping at the conventional 'bazaars' or souks too.

KEEP To The Dragon Boat Rhythm At Festival Marina

KEEP To The Dragon Boat Rhythm At Festival Marina 

Dubai International Dragon Boat Festival at Festival Marina, Dubai Festival City in April



Dragon Boat Alive and Festival Centre, the focal point of Dubai Festival City, in association with Island Global Yachting (IGY), the luxury marina developer and management company, have today announced the Dubai International Dragon Boat Festival will be held at Festival Marina on Friday 3rd April and Saturday 4th April 2009. Following on from the success of last year, Dubai International Dragon Boat Festival promises two days of thrilling races, as well as, plenty of onshore activities to ensure thousands of spectators and competitors during the weekend. Jason McKenzie, Technical Director Dragon Boats Alive, said: “Dragon boating has a big following in the UAE, with new converts to the sport yearly. Dragon boating is a dynamic and strategic team sport but perhaps more importantly it is great fun. Dubai International Dragon Boat Festival is a perfect opportunity for friends, colleagues and families to join together in a boat and compete.” There will be a range of activities at Festival City over the two day period to create a carnival atmosphere, including food and beverage stalls, children’s activities and a fun fair. Tom Miles, Director of Shopping Centres, Al Futtaim Real Estate, said: “Festival Centre is a major attraction for the marine community with its accessibility to Festival Marina. The Dubai International Dragon Boat Festival will be a chance for residents and visitors to experience the vibrancy of the area whilst also getting involved in the fantastic activities and events being planned for the two days.” Phil Blake, of IGY, and Marina Manager of Festival Marina added: “Last year’s Dragon Boat Festival was a huge success and this year’s will be bigger and better. An event like this is a perfect opportunity for residents of Dubai to come down and see the marina and Festival City.” Built, designed and managed by IGY, Festival Marina is a unique yachting destination in Dubai. Located at the heart of Dubai Festival City, on the banks of Dubai Creek, Festival Marina forms part of the retail resort which offers convenient access to the wide range of entertainment, shopping and eating options in the surrounding area.

The Mediterranean inspired Festival Marina encompasses 74 permanent berths with state-of-the-art facilities to accommodate 15 to 35 metre yachts. The custom-designed marina has a number of special features including extra wide pontoons, a helicopter pad and WiFi. Overlooking Festival Marina, Festival Centre has become a major attraction for the yachting circuit. The retail resort is home to over 400 shops including 15 anchor stores and 60 restaurants and cafés, a 12 screen Grand Cinemas complex and Bowling City. The waterfront promenade links Festival Marina to the world renowned InterContinental and Crowne Plaza Hotels and Events Centre, all with prime waterfront views over Festival Marina, Dubai Creek and the city’s skyline. For more information or to enter a team in the Dubai International Dragon Boat Festival please visit www.dubaiflyingdragons.com or email info@sirenconsulting.com or call +971 4 321 5352.

A High Level Delegation From Dubai Customs Learns About German Experience In Criminal Customs

A High Level Delegation From Dubai Customs Learns About German Experience In Criminal Customs

Ahmed Butti Ahmed affirms importance of benefiting from customs expertise worldwide



Director General of Dubai Customs, Ahmed Butti Ahmed accompanied by Yousef Hussain Al Sahlawi, Executive Director of Policies and legislations Division and Abbas Abdullah Meki, Director of External Relations at Dubai Customs visited German Customs during the period from 9-11 Feb 2009.

The visit comes as part of strengthening relations with key customs administrations worldwide and benefiting from best practices applicable to such experienced administration in implementing customs laws, policies and procedures.

The delegation focused during the visit on German Customs practice in Criminal Customs for better enforcement of preventing customs offences and crimes and benefiting from the experience in customs core business.

German Customs is the only European customs administration, which gives a special and due care for criminal customs concept. 

The delegation visited the Criminal Customs Education and Training Center where they learnt about the most important services and programmes offered by the Center and reviewed avenues of cooperation in training Dubai Customs personnel in a manner that make Dubai Customs optimally benefiting from such professional area of customs business.

The University of Munster, which was visited by the delegation, established a dedicated administration for teaching customs sciences to customs officers through a specialized programme awarding a WTO recognized Master Degree in Customs Operations to customs leaders worldwide. 

The delegation discussed with the Munster University Management the possibility of cooperation between Dubai Customs and the university in sending senior customs officials from Dubai to join the Master Degree programme.

Commenting on this visit, Mr. Butti said that, “Dubai Customs always seeks to benefit from customs expertise worldwide in order to develop its business in connection with providing best customer service delivery standards, striking the balance between enforcement and facilitation and supporting the supply chain in the international legitimate trade.”

Worth mentioning, Dubai Customs maintains distinguished relations with a large number of key customs administrations in the world and works towards exchanging expertise and professional practices with them as to realize maximum benefit from these relations taking into account Dubai’s commercial, economic and social position.

Bintel Awarded Fourth Gabon Mobile Telecom Operator License

Bintel Awarded Fourth Gabon Mobile Telecom Operator License 

Regional Telecom Company set to expand its African footprint with initial investment of USD 50 million in Gabon



Bintel has announced that it has been awarded a 15-year mobile license from ARTEL, the telecommunications regulatory authority of Gabon, to become the 4th entrant into the country’s highly competitive mobile telephony market. The company is expected to roll out its services in Gabon in the third quarter of 2009.

With this award, Bintel estimates its initial investment in 2009 in Gabon to be in excess of USD 50 million. As per the terms of the agreement, the company is licensed to provide the latest voice and data services to customers in Gabon. These will include high speed data and video conferencing among many other services. Following the license acquisition, Bintel has appointed industry veteran Gilles Villenaut as General Manager for its Gabon operations. 

“Bintel is committed to redefining Gabon’s telecommunications landscape by building a state-of-the-art mobile communications network and providing customers the most advanced mobile services,” said Mr. Alawi Baroum, CEO of Bintel. “Bintel’s entry into Gabon would further intensify competition in the highly liberalized domestic market, which would ultimately work to the advantage of end users who would have a wider portfolio of services to choose from and can also benefit from more competitive pricing.”

Gabon has an estimated mobile penetration of about 90%, which is estimated to grow to 120% by 2011. According to ARTEL, Gabon currently has about 1.3 million mobile subscribers. Celtel-Zain’s market share stands at about 58%, Gabon Telecom at 34% and Moov at 8%. Bintel is targeting a 6 to 8% share of the Gabon market within its first 12 months and a 30% share within its first 10 years. 

Gabon is one of the most economically advanced and politically stable countries in Africa that offers its investors a conducive business environment. Besides being committed to improving Gabon’s telecommunications sphere, Bintel is committed to working closely with Gabon authorities to promote the excellent investment opportunities the country offers across diverse industry sectors.

“We consider Africa along with other emerging markets to be one of the most promising telecom markets in the decade to come,” Mr. Baroum said. “Governments across Africa and other emerging markets are today seized of the importance of telecommunications in advancing economic growth and have been moving quickly to accelerate the development of mobile communications networks, which are more cost-effective to build than traditional fixed lines and also offer higher return on investment and greater consumer benefits.”

“As a company that focuses on emerging markets as its principal market, Bintel’s business philosophy is underpinned by its commitment to contribute towards the social and economic development by bringing major investment and employment to the communities in which it operates. We put great emphasis on partnering with local firms and hiring personnel locally, and locals/nationals today constitute more than 80% of our operations resources,” Mr. Baroum added.

Dubai Mega Projects 2009: providing inside track on region’s projects

Dubai Mega Projects 2009: providing inside track on region’s projects





At a time when the regional project industry is facing a very uncertain future, the need to have up to date, relevant and accurate information is vital to the success of any business. MEED Events’ Dubai Mega Projects 2009 being held on the 15th – 17th March 2009 at The Westin Hotel Dubai, is the leading forum for industry professionals to gain the latest information on Dubai’s mega project market.

Speaking about the forthcoming event Edmund O’Sullivan, Chairman for MEED Events commented, “This event comes at a critical time for the region’s mega projects and developers. Each market within the region is reacting differently to circumstances and in the short term some projects are being cancelled, some delayed and others are continuing.

“In recent months, however, there has been a marked increase in regional state investment projects. At the end of 2008 it was announced by Dubai that it was to increase its public spending by 42% to US$ 10.3bn this year and Saudi Arabia, which has the biggest public spending plans in the region, announced an expansionary fiscal policy in late December 2008 and revealing that expenditure in 2009 would be US$ 127bn. Interestingly, the current low cost of materials may even be of benefit for many of the state investment projects.”

Dubai Mega Projects 2009 has been designed as the forum for fact finding, intelligence gathering & high level networking centred specifically on the major project developments in Dubai at a time when the need for detailed information is critical. 

Leading government authorities, key stakeholders, developers, project managers, consultants and contractors will be outlining the key issues, facts and information pertaining to the mega projects market in Dubai. Over two days attendees will be able to gain access to cutting-edge information on the current status, scale and future opportunities of Dubai’s mega project market and this event offers a unique opportunity to meet and do business with the key decision makers and hear their future plans, strategies and timescales.

Speakers and panel session participants will include Abdul Redha Abu Al Hassan, Director of Planning, RTA; Khalid Al-Zahed, Director of Marine Projects Department, RTA; Mathew Plumbridge, Planning and Development Manager, Nakheel; Abdullah Al Gurg, Project Director, Tiger Woods Dubai; Mark Prior, Managing Director, EC Harris International and Greg Christofides, Executive Director, ARABTEC.

Discussion topics at the conference include Dubai’s Strategic Plan 2015, urban development, environmental sustainability, tourism trends, ways of meeting the current and future transport challenge, utility infrastructure and project delivery challenges. The conference also includes two pre conference masterclasses being held on 14th March led by WSP Environmental, a leading global environment and energy consultancy, and Clyde and Co. a leading international law firm.

Dubai Creek from the Sky

Dubai Creek from the Sky






More pictures in this link from Gulf News Newspaper:
http://archive.gulfnews.com/nation/General/10075766.html

Cityscape

Cityscape is an annual network marketing exhibition and conference focusing on commercial architecture, property investment and development. The event launched around 2001 has witnessed tremendous potential and growth.

Today, Cityscape is the largest business-to-business real estate investment and development event in the world and the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed, made a surprise visit recently. This exhibition centre has broken all records in 2008, with 70,000 visitors and over 1,000 exhibitors from across the globe.

GITEX

GITEX is the biggest and most successful IT event in the Middle East. It is the foremost international exhibition for computing, communications systems and applications dedicated to the Information Technology (IT) industry.

‘TECHNOLOGY WEEK’ is GITEX’s leading even

Cinemas

ubai, UAE » Entertainment » Cinemas

CineStar Cinemas (DCC)

Deira City Centre,

Tel +971 4 294 9000

Fax +971 4 294 9450

CineStar Cinemas (MoE)

Tel +971 4 341 4222, Fax +971 4 347 9900

Taxi Mall of the Emirates

Grand Cinecity

Tel +971 4 228 9898, Fax +971 4 228 9030

Taxi Al Ghurair City, Al Rigga Street

Grand Cineplex

Tel +971 4 324 2000, Fax +971 4 324 0278

Taxi Next to Wafi City

Grand Megaplex

Tel +971 4 366 9898, Fax +971 4 366 9898

Taxi China Court, Ibn Battuta Mall, Sheikh Zayed Road between Interchange 5 and 6.

Grand Mercato

PO Box 733 49, Dubai,

Tel +971 4 349 8765, Fax +971 4 349 9775

Taxi Jumeirah Beach Road

Grand Metroplex

Opp. Safa Park,

Tel +971 4 343 8383, Fax +971 4 343 0079

Taxi Next to Metropolitan Hotel

Lamcy Cinema

Tel +971 4 336 8808, Fax +971 4 336 8809

Taxi Next to Lamcy Plaza

Plaza Cinema

Tel +971 4 393 9966, Fax +971 4 393 7887

Taxi Al Ghubaiba Rd, opposite Bur Dubai taxi stand

Attractions

Dubai, UAE » Entertainment » Attractions


Enlighten your life with the best attractions in Dubai

Having expanded along both banks of the Creek, Dubai is divided into two parts - Deira on the northern side and Bur Dubai to the south, as well as the top tourist destination of Jumeirah.

Abras, the traditional water taxis, are regularly used each day to cross people over to either side of the Creek. Each side has its share of fine mosques and busy souqs, public buildings, shopping malls, hotels, office towers, banks, hospitals, schools, apartments and villas. Dubai is blessed with golden sunshine and silvery beaches, world-class golf facilities and an upcoming Sports City.

From the timeless tranquility of the desert to the lively bustle of the souk, Dubai does not only boast the best contemporary sightings but has also preserved some of the most intriguing historical attractions.

Historical Attractions, Bur Dubai - South of the Creek

Bastakiya Quaters

The old Bastakiya district with its narrow lanes and tall wind-towers gives a tantalizing glimpse of old Dubai. Immediately to the east of Al Fahidi Fort is the largest concentration of traditional courtyard houses with windtowers. In the past, the city was famous for a mass of wind towers which lined the Creek on either side. These were not merely decorative; they were the only means of cooling houses in the days before electricity.


Dubai Museum

Year 1799 marked the building of Al Fahidi Fort. It was built against foreign invasion. This splendid fort is now Dubai Museum. Therefore, allowing visitors to peep into the rich culture and heritage of Dubai. The entrance of Dubai Museum is marked with a great collection of old maps exhibiting urban expansion of Dubai in the year 1960 to 1980. Dubai Museum offers a unique trip to desert life, traditional Arabian homes, mosques, fishing, pearl diving and trade. Major highlights of Dubai Museum are artifacts from excavated graves, musical instruments. Deadly weapons also form the major part of Dubai Museum, such as swords, spears, bows, arrows, shields, pistols and axes. So, what are you waiting for? Get ready for an exciting trip to Dubai Museum and make your Dubai tour a remarkable experience!

Contact, Tel: 04 353 1862

Address: Al Fahid Street. Opposot Grand Mosque & Diwan, adult Dh3, child Dh1.


Grand Mosque

Situated on the Bur Dubai side of the Creek near the Ruler's Court, Grand Mosque was re-built in 1998 and now has, at 70 metres, the city's tallest minaret. It has 45 small domes in addition to nine large ones boasting stained glass panels, making it a distinguished landmark and important place of worship.

Address: Ali bin Talib Street, opposite Dubai Museum.


Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House (Museum, Port Rashid, Dubai)

Shaikh Saeed was the grandfather of the present ruler and his house has been restored as a museum. Dating from the late 1800s, Sheikh Saeed's House was built in a commanding position near the sea so the Ruler could observe shipping activity from the balconies. With its wind-towers and layers of rooms built around a central courtyard, it is a fine example of regional architecture. An ambitious restoration project has returned the house to its former glory and makes it a showcase for the history and development of Dubai. Sheikh Saeed's house can be visited as part of the Big Bus Company's tour of Dubai. The ticket price of Dhs 75 includes the entrance to Sheikh Saeed's House and Dubai museum as well.

Address: Al-Shindagha Road

Contact: Tel: 04 3937139

Modern and Historical Attractions in Jumeirah


Burj Al Arab

This is an impressive landmark, a five star hotel (unofficially known as the worlds only seven star hotel) which is built on an artificial island, with a sail-shaped build reaching out at 321m. It is certainly an extraordinary building with superb interior decor, including a Skyview bar with amazing views.


Jumeirah Archeological site

This is one of the most important archeological sites in the UAE where pieces were found dating back from the 6th Century AD. Remains from the site link it to the 3rd-6th centuries AD when the Persian Sassanid Empire dominated, and the Umayyad Dynasty in the 7th century when Islam arrived in the Gulf.

Address : Off 27 street, near Jumeirah Beach Park.


Jumeirah Mosque

This mosque stands at the northern end of Jemeirah Beach Road. It is one of the most beautiful and fine examples of modern Islamic architecture. The beauty of the mosque, the city's largest, is seen at its very best particularly when floodlit after sundown. The mosque is one of the most visited and photographed sights. Tours are at 10am every Sunday and Thursday mornings. For tour information, contact the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, which is open 8am - 3pm, Sat-Wed.

Mosque Tour: Dh 10

Tel : 04 353 6666

Wild Wadi Waterpark

This is certainly something for the children to enjoy. The waterpark includes many exciting rides for all ages which are based on the Legend of Arabian adventurer, Juha and his friend Sinbad. The waterpark also includes the popular almost free-fall ride, Jumeirah Sceirah.

Tel : 04 348 4444
Historical Attractions, Deira - North of the Creek


Al-Ahmadiya School

This was Dubai’s first school which was established in 1912. These semiformal schools were set up by Sheikhs which paid for the poor students. The buildings architecture and detail is extremely admirable.

Address: Al-Ahmadiya Street, near Gold Souk.

Tel: 04 226 0286


Burj Nahar

Year 1870 marked the foundation of Burj Nahar. Three watch towers guard this beautiful city. Burj Nahar is one of the three-watch towers, positioned in Deira. Picturesque gardens and exotic surroundings provide the perfect backdrop for photographers and tourists. People from all over the world come to visit this magnificent and beautiful tower.

Dhow Wharfage

Having been docked at the Creek since the 1830’s, these wooden sailing vessels were used in the Indian Ocean and Arabic Sea.

Dhow sailors work very hard, trading with nearby countries, re-exporting many products such as electrical goods which have flown in from China, Singapore and South Korea.

Address: Baniyas Road


Heritage House

This is a wealthy pearl merchants residence. Here visitors are offered chick-peas and tea, a traditional Emirati snack. The house is built like an old bastakiya building, built from coral and gypsum. The staff are very friendly and more than happy to carry out tours around the rooms which all look out on to the central courtyard.

Address: Al-Ahmadiya Street.

Tel: 04 226 0286
Take a walk around Deira's traditional markets


Deira Covered Souk (District)

The Deira Covered Souk has more of an Indian feel than an Arabic one, with folks hawking textiles, spices, kitchen wares, clothes and henna. It is a perfect place for a housewife to feel at home! The aromas, the sights and the flavours of this place are quite intoxicating!!!


Deira Spice Souk

The narrow lanes of the spice souk are scented with cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, incense, dried fruit and nuts. Imported from all over the Middle East, they are sold straight out of open sacks that surround the shop keepers.


Gold Souk

Dubai boasts one of the largest retail gold markets in the world, selling everything from ingots to intricately worked jewellery at bargain prices. The street-front stores side alleys of smaller shops with glittering show windows.

Outskirt of Dubai, the historical town of Hatta

This town is situated in the foothills of the majestic Hajar Mountains. The hatta Fort hotel is idyllic; overlooking the stunning mountainous views and is a perfect weekend get-away from the hectic city of Dubai.

The Hatta Rock Pools are the main attraction in the area and are located 20km from Hatta. The crystal clear pools are made up of cracks in the rocks which have developed along the riverbeds and are safe to swim in.

The Heritage Village offers a great example of how life was in Hatta before its modernisation, with its traditional fort, mud houses and stone buildings. In this village you can visit the famous Hatta House which gives you an idea of how homes were designed just a couple of decades ago.


Hatta Mountains

From Jurassic Park to Hatta in one leap, Larger than life: The 30 metre long Dinosaur dwarfed by the Hatta Mountains. The stairs under its tail will lead to a room built in its stomach where replics of the stone Age are kept. A white prancing horse adorns a hill on top at the farm. Visitors to the farm are greeted by a cannon. The driveway, internal roads and walkways are made of stone with pictures created from different coloured stones.
Some of the most extraordinary attractions in Dubai


Burj Dubai

The world's tallest tower and still growing...

Hydropolis

The world's first underwater hotel, opening sometime in 2009.


Atlantis Resort & Hotel

A multi billion dollar resort built on the fascinating Palm Island.


The World

A development of private and commercial islands, an exclusive paradise just off the coast of Dubai.

Travel Tips

Dubai, UAE » City Info » Travel Tips

TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN

The UAE is a family-oriented environment and small children are welcome and appreciated everywhere. The larger hotels have a good selection of kids' meals, especially in room service. Very small children do not normally eat out at night, but are often welcome. Phone ahead to check. In any case baby-sitting services are available in the main hotels.

There are lots of activities for children, both in and around the five-star hotels, special amusement parks and many green areas. Children under 12 usually qualify for discounts on admission fees to most museums, amusement parks, swimming pools and entertainment centres.


WOMEN TRAVELERS

The UAE is extremely safe for women travellers, nevertheless women travelling alone are a novelty and you may find yourself at the focus of unwanted attention. You will probably have a more relaxed visit if you stay in one of the four or five star hotels, especially if you can use the hotel's private beach facilities.

Women in the UAE have a much more liberal lifestyle than many of their Gulf counterparts (i.e. women are permitted to drive, work etc) however, women travelers should be aware that they are visiting a society which has strong traditional roots.

If you wish to avoid hassle or risk causing offence, do not wear tight or revealing clothes away from the beach clubs and resorts. You will also find that clothing suitable for the more cosmopolitan cities may not be comfortable or convenient for independent travel in rural areas. Loose trousers and a long sleeved cotton shirt will suit a wide range of situations.

When socializing in local company wait until a hand is offered to you for a handshake, some devout Muslims prefer not to shake hands with a woman.

Remember that one advantage of being a woman in the UAE is that women are normally served first at banks and post offices, police stations and other government offices frequently have separate queues for women.


DISABLED TRAVELERS

Several five-star hotels have specially-adapted rooms and other facilities for handicapped people.

The airport and major shopping malls have good access and facilities, as well as Dubai's Transport Taxis are fitted to accommodate wheelchairs.

There are also designated disabled parking spaces in nearly all of the city’s car parks, though you will need a disabled window badge in order to use them


AIRPORT FACILITIES

In June 2001 Emirates airline designated a special handling area at departures and arrivals for passengers with special needs. As a result, wheelchair passengers will receive a more personalized service.
HEALTH

Dubai contains well equipped public and private hospitals.

Remarkably, the UAE was one of only two countries with no reported cases of holiday illnesses recorded in a survey by the leading British consumer magazine, Holiday Which? This is a tribute to the success of government immunization programs, the provision of adequate clean water and high standards of cleanliness in hotels and restaurants.


VACCINATIONS

No special immunizations are required, however it would be wise to check beforehand if you are traveling from a health-risk area. Tetanus inoculations are usually recommended if you are considering a long trip. Polio has been virtually eradicated in the UAE and hepatitis is very rare and can be avoided by taking precautions. Hepatitis A is transmitted by contaminated food and water, Hepatitis B, C, D through sexual contact, the use of unsterilized needles and blood transfusions.


MALARIA

There are very few mosquitoes in the towns and cities and, since it is not considered to be a risk, malaria tablets are rarely prescribed for travel in the UAE. However, mosquitoes will find you if you are camping near the mountains or exploring wadis or date groves in the evening, so cover up and use a suitable insect repellent as it is always safer to avoid being bitten. If you are in any doubt consult your doctor or your nearest tropical medical centre before your trip.


SUNBURN

The sun can be fierce throughout the year so heatstroke and heat exhaustion are always a risk. Adequate sunglasses, hats and high factor sun creams are essential, especially for children.


HEALTH INSURANCE

Only emergency cases at the A&E Public hospitals can be seen free of charge.

Public hospitals, where the medical facilities are very good, will deal with emergencies free of charge, however it would be wise to take out medical insurance to cover all eventualities, especially if you need to attend a private hospital or clinic where treatment can be quite expensive. In all instances, medical procedures, including the use of sterilized needles and the provision of blood transfusions are very reliable.


DOCTORS

If you need a doctor, ask at your hotel, or at the General Medical Centre, as well as ringing your embassy for recommendations. If you need emergency treatment and are unable to contact a doctor, try one of the major hospitals listed below.


PHARMACIES

Most medicines are readily available at pharmacies. Each emirate has at least one pharmacy open 24 hours a day. Check in local newspapers for information. In some emirates a 24-hour municipality emergency number (Abu Dhabi 02 777 929; Dubai 04 2232323) lists the locations of open chemists.


DENTISTS

Good dentists are readily available, including orthodontists.


ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

Chinese medicine is readily available. There is also a homeopathic hospital.

Ambulance service 998 or 999

Main Public hospitals in Dubai

Al Wasl Hospital – Qud Metha Road

New Dubai Hospital - Near the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Deira

Rashid Hospital – Oud Metha Road, Bur Dubai

Main Private hospitals in Dubai

American Hospital Dubai – Bur Dubai

Emirates Hospital – Jumeirah Beach Road

Welcare Hospital – Garhoud, Deira
COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA


TELEPHONE AND FAX

The telephone network operated by the national telecommunication organization ETISALAT is superb: local calls are free and direct dialing is available to 150 countries. In 2006, a rival telecommunications company, Du, was launched offering competitive rates.

The international dial code for UAE is +971. Cheap rates for international direct calls apply from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. and all day on Fridays and public holidays. There is a complete list of rates at the back of each telephone directory. You do not need to use the emirate access code when dialing a local number in that emirate. In other words to ring a number in Dubai from Abu Dhabi you must use the 04 prefix. If you are dialing a number in Abu Dhabi from another location in that emirate you will not need to use a prefix.

Yellow page directories are available for each emirate (see also 'http://www.emirates.net.ae'). These can be purchased at ETISALAT offices.

Pay phones, both card and coin operated, are located throughout the UAE. Phone cards for local use (Dh30 or Dh45) are usually available from ETISALAT offices, supermarkets, pharmacies etc. Coin operated phones take Dh1 and 50 fils.


LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL AREA CODES:

Abu Dhabi 02 + 9712

Ajman 06 + 9716

Al Ain 03 + 9713

Dubai 04 + 9714

Fujairah 09 + 9719

Jebel Ali 04 + 9714

Khor Fakkan 09 + 9719

Raï al-Khaimah 07 + 9717

Sharjah 06 + 9716

Umm al-Qaiwain 06 + 9716


Sharjah, Ajman and Umm al-Qaiwain share the access code 06 and Fujairah and Khor Fakkan the access code 09

All hotels offer fax facilities. Faxes can also be sent from ETISALAT ('http://www.etisalat.co.ae') offices throughout the Emirates. The offices are

recognizable by the distinctive 'golf balli' structures on top of each building.

The main ETISALAT office in Abu Dhabi is on the corner of Zayed the Second and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum St. It is open 24 hours a day. ETISALAT's main office in Dubai is on the corner of Beniyas and Omar ibn Al Khatab roads. It is also open around the clock. In Sharjah the main office is located in Al Manakh, close to the dhow roundabout. Opening hours are Saturday to Wednesday 7 a.m.- 3 p.m., however you can send and receive fax and telex messages 24 hours a day.

Shops advertising typing and photocopying services often have fax facilities.


MOBILE PHONES

GSM services are available and the mobile phone code within the UAE is 050. "Speak Easy" is a GSM mobile service for those visitors and tourists who cannot use their own mobile phones in the UAE. You can either buy a new mobile phone and purchase a temporary SIM card or use your own handset with a temporary card. Contact ETISALAT for details.


INTERNET

Most five-star hotels offer guests internet access. Email cheap rates are from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. At the time of writing public internet access kiosks were being established in the UAE, initially at the major airports. The minimum charge for public access is Dh2 and 60 fils per minute. Payment can be made by credit card.

If you have brought your laptop with you, along with a modem and browsing software, you can dial 500 5333 to get connected to the internet. A charge of 15 fils per minute is billed to the telephone to which you are connected. For more details call 800 5244.


POST

The General Postal Authority runs an efficient postal system with red post collection boxes dotted throughout the cities and towns. Mail is usually collected morning and evening. Stamps can be purchased and post mailed from your hotel. Express postal facilities are also available at post offices.

In general, post office opening hours are from 8 a.m.- 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. Saturday to Wednesday. Closed Thursdays and Fridays. 8 a.m. - 12 noon on Public Holidays, but closed on the first day of Eid holidays. Note that there are no telephone or fax facilities at post offices in the UAE and poste restante facilities are not available.

The main post office in Dubai is on Zaïsabeel Road, Bur Dubai (8 a.m. - 11.30 p.m. Saturday to Wednesday, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. Thursday and closed Fridays). There is also a smaller post office in Deira on Al Sabkha Road. Other post offices are located in Satwa, Karama and Jumeirah.
OPENING HOURS AND HOLIDAYS

Normal shopping hours are from 9.00 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 4.00 - 9.00 p.m. however many shops, particularly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi stay open all day. Most shopping centres open from 10 a.m to 10 p.m - frequently later. Some supermarkets are open for 24 hours. Although shops and shopping centres are fully air conditioned, the cool of the evening is a favourite time for shopping. Shopping centres and most shops are open on Friday, the Islamic day of rest, but they all close for Juma (Friday) prayers from 11.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.

All shops are required to close at prayer times in Raï's al-Khaimah.


OFFICES

Government offices open at 7.30 a.m. and close at 3.00 p.m. but you would be wise to visit in the morning. Private offices tend to keep longer hours, coming back to work in the evening after an extended mid-day break. Some private businesses open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. All government offices close for the weekend at mid-day on Thursday and do not open again until Saturday morning. Some offices outside the public sector are open on Thursday and close on Friday and Saturday.


PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

Since Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of phases of the moon, the dates outlined below for Islamic religious holidays are approximate. The precise dates are not announced until a day or so before they occur. If a public holiday falls on a weekend, the holiday is usually taken at the beginning of the next working week.

A three-day mourning period is usually announced when a member of the ruling families or a government minister or the head of a neighbouring state dies. Government offices and some private companies will close for the period.


1 Jan New Year's Day.

2 Dec National Day.

Al-Hijra (Islamic New Year).

Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet).

Leilat al-Meiraj (Ascension of the Prophet).

Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).

Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
SECURITY

PERSONAL SAFETY

The UAE is one of the safest places in the world to visit. In fact, it has been designated the world's safest holiday destination by the international travel industry on two occasions. Nevertheless, it is a good idea to take out travel insurance and to take the normal precaution to safeguard yourself and your valuables.

Police Headquarters Abu Dhabi 02 4461461

Dubai 04 2292222

Sharjah 06 5631111

Ajman 06 7436000

Umm al-Qaiwain 06 5656662

Ras al-Khaimah 07 2333888

Fujairah 09 2370000

Dubai Police hotline (Al Ameen service) 8004888


EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Ambulance 998 or 999

Fire 997

Police 999

Coastguard 04 3450520

East Coast Coastguard 09 2380380


HELICOPTER SERVICE

If you dial 999 or 04 2821111, Dubai Police guarantee that in an emergency a police helicopter will be with you within 8 minutes


TIPPING

Tipping is not expected, but is common practice. Gratuities to staff at hotels are at your discretion. Most restaurants add service charges to the bill (Abu Dhabi 16 per cent; Sharjah 15 per cent; Dubai 10 per cent). If this charge is not included, add 10 per cent of the total to the bill. Taxi drivers do not expect to be tipped. Supermarket baggers, bag carriers and windscreen washers at petrol stations are generally given Dh2.


PHOTOGRAPHY

Film is readily available, so too are processing facilities and colour prints are produced in record time. Ask permission before photographing people in general. Avoid photographing Muslim women and do not photograph airports, docks, telecommunications equipment, government buildings, military and industrial installations.


TIME

The UAE is four hours ahead of GMT. The time does not change during the summer. This means that there is a three hour difference between UK and UAE local times in summer and a four hour difference in winter.


ELECTRICITY

Domestic supply is 220 volts. Sockets suitable for three-pin 13 amp plugs of British standard design are the norm, however it is a good idea to bring an adapter with you just in case. Adapters can be purchased in local supermarkets. Appliances purchased in the UAE will generally have two-pin plugs attached.


WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

The UAE uses the metric system, although British and US standard weights and measures are understood.


CLOTHING

Lightweight summer clothing is ideal with a wrap, sweater or jacket for cooler winter nights and air-conditioned premises. Although the dress code in the UAE is generally casual, guests in the larger hotels do tend to dress more formally in the evening. Since you are visiting a Muslim country, bikinis, swimsuits, shorts and revealing tops should be confined to beach resorts.

Women are usually advised not to wear short skirts and to keep their shoulders covered. Note that in Sharjah women are prohibited from wearing swimsuits on public beaches.


TOILETS

Most shopping centres, public gardens, museums etc have clean, well-maintained public toilets. Public toilets in souqs and bus stations are usually just for men. Outside of the cities, you can find public toilets at restaurants and petrol stations, however they may not be in good condition and will generally lack toilet paper.


FOOD AND WATER

The standard of food hygiene and water quality is extremely high, especially in all of the larger centres, as is evidenced by the Which survey. You should take the time to investigate conditions in smaller cafés in remote areas, although again standards are usually good. Raw salads and shawarmas (meat cooked on a spit and served in a pittta bread sandwich) are to be avoided if you have any doubts.

Water is usually produced by desalination so it is normally safe to drink, nevertheless you may prefer the taste of bottled water. In any case it is advisable to drink plenty of water in the heat so carry a bottle with you at all times.

Visa Requirements

Dubai, UAE » City Info » Visa Requirements

IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION

Citizens of the Following Countries no longer need to obtain a visa prior to entry if the duration of stay is less than one (1) month:

United States, UK, France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Finland, South Korea, Spain, Monaco, Vatican, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein,Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong.


GCC NATIONALS

Visa requirements for entering Dubai vary greatly between different nationalities and it is always advised to check regulations before traveling. Currently, every nationality entering the UAE needs a visa except citizens of GCC countries (Gulf Cooperation Council: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia) expatriate residents of the GCC (certain nationalities and professions) and British citizens with the right of abode in the UK. The following citizens of Europe also receive visas on arrival: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the Vatican.

In addition, nationals from Australia, Brunei, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and South Korea in Asia, as well as those from the United States of America and Canada also now receive Visas on arrival.

GCC nationals can stay more or less as long they like. British citizens can stay for a month and then apply for a visa for a further two months. European, American, South African and Australian citizens may obtain a visit visa from the UAE embassy in their respective countries before departure. Please note that Israelis and travelers whose Passports bear Israeli stamps will be denied a visa.


OTHER NATIONALS

For all other nationalities, a visa must be applied for before the visitor enters the country either through their respective embassy, a local UAE sponsor or a local hotel.


VISAS THROUGH HOTELS

Tourists can get a visa from a tourist company or a hotel by first making a reservation for at least one night. They must fax/courier the hotel a copy of their passport along with the reason for the visit (tourism is an acceptable reason) and their arrival date. You must also make sure that the hotel faxes you a copy of the visa when it is ready. Airlines may require confirmation (preferably a fax copy of the document) that a visa is held before check-in at the airport. The original is held at Dubai Airport for collection before passport control.


SERVICE VISA ENTRY APPLIED THROUGH A HOTEL:

Standard process of application, but please check with your hotel first.

The visa is valid for 14 days from the date of issue and 14 days from the date of entry. The visa fees and security deposit will vary from country to country. The security deposit is also required per person and will be refunded once the visa holder leaves the country. It is advisable to contact your nearest Dubai Embassy or the hotel for more details.

Please be aware that once the visa is applied for, charges for the cost of the visa will not be refunded in such cases as Expiration, Booking cancellation, Rejection.

For the visa to be processed by the hotel, the visitor must remain a guest in that hotel for the entrire duration of their stay. Port of entry and exit of the visitor must be Dubai only. Three working days are needed to process the visa excluding, Friday, Saturday and Public Holidays.

Documents required:

Visa Charges and Security Deposit. An authorisation letter with the signature of the cardholder, as well as a copy of the credit card used (front and back side). Passport copies of card holder and visitors.

Please note all document copies, passport copies and credit card copies must be scanned clearly and with colour when sent, otherwise they will be rejected by Dubai Immigration.


TOURIST VISA

This visa is issued through tourist companies and it is valid for 30 days. You cannot renew it or extend it. If the Visa holder of the tourist visa stays more than the 30 days, that person has to pay a fine per day plus some charges for an out pass.


VISIT VISA

This Visa is issued through DNRD. It is stamped for 30 days validity but it is valid for 60 days and can be extended for 30 more days by paying an extra amount. The extension needs to be done before the 60th day. If the visitor stays more than 60 days or more than 90 days (after the extension) they will have to pay a fine per day plus some charges for an out pass.

Certain passport holders can enter the UAE without obtaining a visit visa prior to arrival and stay up to 30 days.


Documents required:
Photocopy of the visitor's passport
Visit Visa Application form, completed and signed by the sponsoring company.
Photocopy of the trade license of the company
A Guarantee letter from the company stating its responsibility of the visitor during his visit.


WORK VISA

These visas are issued for people who want to work or do business in UAE. It is valid for 60 days only, during this the work residence visa has to be processed. If the person delays in stamping the residence he will pay 25 AED fine for each day.

There are different types of Work visas:

Private companies or Establishments employees (Issued from labor Office)
Servants
Partners
Investors
Governmental institutions and Ministries (Issued from DNRD) and the person can only work in governmental institutions.

We suggest that you check with your nearest UAE consulate or embassy whether you require a visa to be issued in your passport prior to flying to the UAE.


For more information please visit http://uae-embassy.org/html/Consulate/General_Info.html

Economy

Dubai, UAE » City Info » Economy

Dubai is an important tourist destination and its port (JebeL Ali) operates at the centre of the exporting trade in the Middle East. With the introduction of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) in 2004, it has allowed Dubai to develop as a global hub for service industries such as IT and finance.


The government has set up industry-specific free zones throughout the city in order to attract foreign businesses and this has been Dubai’s greatest economic achievement. The economy has benefited from new technological advances of information and communication by the introduction of The Dubai Internet City and Media City. Dubai has tempted many established media companies, such as CNN, to base their Middle East operations in the city.


Dubai is the second wealthiest emirate in the UAE, after Abu Dhabi which is the capital state. Most tourists believe Dubai’s revenues came primarily from oil but in fact it only used a moderate amount of oil reserves to generate the infrastructure for trade, manufacturing and tourism, in order to build up its economy.


About 95% of Dubai’s Gross Domestic Product is not oil-based. It is expected that by 2010, oil will account for less than one percent of Dubai’s GDP and tourism to produce 20% of the GDP. These figures explain why Dubai has had to become a more dynamic and diversified economy in order to survive the decay of fossil fuels.


In the early 1990’s there were only a handful of hotels available for tourists and Dubai never had high oil revenues like Abu Dhabi so something had to change. The Burj Al Project in 1994 (Burj Al Arab Hotel) gave hope to the economy, as a long term strategy, an ambition to become the world’s top tourist destination.


Since then, Dubai has never looked back; it has rapidly changed into an investor’s playground with tourism rocketing sky high. Dubai city hopes to accommodate 15 million visitors in 2015.

Dubai, UAE » City Info » Geography

Dubai, UAE » City Info » Geography


Geographical coordinates: 25° 15' 8" North, 55° 16' 48" East

Dubai is located on the Persian Gulf, in the northeast of the United Arab Emirates. Dubai is the second largest emirate with an urban area of 3885 sq km and the city is roughly 35 sq km. However it will expand to twice that size with the addition of the man-made islands; the Waterfront, the three Palms, the World, the Universe, Dubailand, as well as the construction in the desert.

One of the most fascinating geographical aspects of Dubai, is its Creek, which divides the city into two regions. Dubai Creek is made up of a natural 9.5 mile inlet in the Persian Gulf, around which the city’s trade developed. North of the Creek is called Deira, and Bur Dubai refers to the south where it joins the tourist and residential developments of Jumeirah along the coast.

Dubai also has the highest population, sharing its borders with Abu Dhabi in the south, Sharjah in the northeast and the Sultanate of Oman in the southeast.

Due to the city’s unique geographical location it enjoys a strategic position which allows it to connect to all local Gulf States, as well as to East Africa and South Asia.
Climate

The line of the Tropic of Cancer crosses through the UAE, causing the weather in Dubai to be warm and sunny. In the winter it has an average daytime temperature of 25°C , nearer the coast 12-15°C , in the desert or mountains 5°C. With the nights being relatively cool. Near coastal areas humidity can average between 50% and 60%.

In the summer, the weather in Dubai is very hot and humid, with temperatures reaching mid 40’s. Even the sea temperature can reach 37°C , with humidity averaging over 90%.

Rainfall in Dubai is infrequent and does not last for a long period. It mostly rains during the winter period in the form of short gushes and an occasional thunderstorm. On average, rain falls only five days a year.
Population

Dubai’s population stands at an estimation of 1.5 million, with three quarters of the population being male. The city of Dubai is made up of a multicultural society; with only 5% of local Emiratis, the rest are expatriates from all over the world. The expatriate population comprises of mostly Indians supplying the city with cheap labour as well as filling professional positions, other nationalities are from various Arabic countries. There is also a significant amount of Iranians, especially after the Islamic revolution in 1979 where more wealthy and educated Iranians settled in Dubai. Furthermore, because of the high demand in workers primarily in the tourism sector, many people from the Philippines, China, Indonesia and Malaysia have become residents in the city.

Dubai’s population has been growing by around 7% a year and the city is set to have a population of 2 million by 2010.
 
 

Did I miss much?

Did I miss much?Back in Dubai and, although I checked in once in a while to the UAE Community blog and the newspapers, I feel completely out of touch because things change so quickly here.
The UK announcing the highest terrorist alert warning for Dubai was the big Dubai item in the papers while we were there, although the response here seems to have been a yawn.
Waiting in my home e-mail box when I checked it this morning were three particular news items which friends thought I'd be interested in. They're three that I hadn't seen while we were away and if I'd been here I'm sure I'd have posted about them.
They were the Defence Roundabout bridge collapse, a story on damage being caused by the roadworks at The Springs and the property ownership/residence visa saga.
Thankfully no-one was killed in the bridge collapse, although five workers were injured. According to the RTA a five metre section of the under-construction bridge collapsed because of "miscalculations on the part of the contractor as a result the pillar and the scaffolding could not take the load of the bridge."
The Springs parallel roads development is not only causing angst because it changes the property from what buyers were led to believe it would be. It's apparently causing physical damage too. Heavy machinery is making villas shake and cracks are appearing in the walls.
I know, we have the same problem in Dubai Marina - tomorrow I'll post a photo of the effect the machines have on nearby buildings.
There's a second theme to this story too, one I've talked about before. All the authorities say the new developments are not their responsibility because they're private developments.
In this case the roads are being built as part of the RTA's huge parallel roads project but their comment was 'Talk to Emaar' (the Master Developer). Of course it's the old Catch 22 because Emaar says the roads are managed and regulated by the RTA.
You get dizzy going round in circles.
And the big one, the property ownership/residence visa saga rears its head again.
This time it's a mixture of inaccurate and irresponsible reporting, apparent confusion about the rules as they exist and another confidence dent for Dubai as an honest place in which to do business.
Basically the story says that residency visas based on the ownership of property will be replaced by short term, presumably visit, visas.
That actually isn't what the quoted official, Marwan Bin Galita of Dubai Real Estate Regulatory Agency (Rera), said. Here's the beginning of the Gulf News story:
Dubai is to introduce a set of short-term visas for foreign investors in the real estate sector, a top official said.
"We have submitted the proposals to this effect to the higher government authority in Dubai to review the visas for property buyers."
Mr Galita says that he has submitted a proposal that the rule is reviewed, the paper says 'Dubai is to introduce' the change. Those are two very different things, which the 'journalist' and the Editor should have seen.
The story goes on that Mr Galita's comments "reverse the government's earlier stand."
Mr Galita is Chief Executive of Rera, not a member of the government. I thought that only Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid had the authority to overturn previous government decisions.
I can't believe they've understood Mr Galita correctly either, because I'm sure he must be aware of the arrangement in place for property related residence visas. They quote him as saying:
"Even if the investment company applies for a residence visa for a buyer...If a development company goes bankrupt, what happens to the residents sponsored by that particular company?"
That suggests that he thinks any developer can apply for a residency visa for its buyers, and I'm sure he knows the arrangement as well as everyone else. Only the three Master Developers, Nakheel, Emaar and Dubai Properties, can apply for a residency visa, which is the arrangement put in place when freehold property was opened to foreigners. No other developer has this arrangement.
In amongst the misleading and confusing reporting there are some facts. For example, the report does explain this arrangement between Master Developers and residency department, it does say that the residency visa is not an automatic right. Overall the story is a mess.
In short, someone buying property who wants a residency visa must request the Master Developer to apply for it. If they agree to do so, the Residency Department will then decide whether to issue it. It is not an automatic right as many small developers have advertised and only the three government owned Master Developers have the arrangement.
That doesn't mean that the arrangement won't be changed of course, even though it means that what people bought and payed for is not what is delivered to them. It wouldn't be the first time people have been sold something, their money taken and then a very different product delivered.
It's a big problem for Dubai, when its future depends on business, a vital and huge part of which is real estate, business depends to a large extent on confidence but confidence & trust in Dubai as an honest place to invest keeps taking a beating.
A definitive, final, clear-cut statement from the government about this property/residence issue is urgently needed.
Here are the original stories:

Why Dubai

Dubai has also been lucky with its timing. Record low interest rates and dismal stock markets are good news for realtors.

There is another good reason why Dubai property is a hit. Because the Dubai government is behind the real estate boom, and has secondary motives such as attracting wealthy immigrants to the city, luxury villas and apartments are being sold very cheaply. 

One way you can judge if real estate is cheap, or not is to look at the yield, or rental return. In the case of Dubai a basic yield of 10% on residential property compares with a 6.5% local mortgage rate. Now in London 3-4% would be considered good a good yield today, so 10% implies a considerable undervaluation of property.

Of course, an increase in the supply of property may reduce yields in Dubai. However, that will take some time. The buyers of apartments on Palm Island will not actually move in until the end of 2006.

Indeed, the problem is rather the reverse in Dubai. The supply of property is not keeping up pace with demand. A city with a GDP growth rate of around 8% sucks in new people all the time and has a burgeoning demand for housing.
 
That would mean that villa and apartment values will ratchet still further upwards as freeholders take possession. For the time being buying property in Dubai looks a sure fire winner, if you can find a property to buy. 
 
 
 

 
 

About Dubai Economy

 





If you are thinking about dubai visit, Please consider the following points 

Living Costs 
Dubai is a cheap place to live when compared to Western Europe, allowing many people to save while experiencing a great quality of life. Petrol is given away, food inexpensive and loan rates reasonable.

Growth 
Dubai has experienced extraordinary economic growth. It was the first city in the region to form free trade zones two decades ago, and foreign investors have not been shy in setting up their regional operations here. Beyond trade and manufacturing, this now extends to the free trade zones of Dubai Internet and Media cities (and shortly Medical City), giving the emirate a cutting edge technological advantage. Meanwhile investment in tourism has grown by leaps and bounds. With over 50 four and five star hotels in the city, tourism revenue overtook oil revenue as a part of Dubai’s gross domestic product (GDP) for the first time in 2003 – 18% of GDP against 17% GDP for oil. Dubai’s GDP increases an average 7.5% a year. 

Taxes 
There are currently no income or property related taxes of any kind. There are no business taxes except in the banking industry.

Policy 
Each emirate in the United Arab Emirates enjoys considerable autonomy in managing its own affairs. In business, the government of Dubai is committed to liberal, free market policies and to the creation of a business environment conducive to commercial activity. This approach is well illustrated by incentives available to investors in the Jebel Ali and Airport Free Zones and by the continuing high level of public sector investment in the infrastructure.