Since the past two decades, Dubai has become one of the hottest business and vacation spots on the planet. It is a city of fascinating contrasts. A visitor will experience traditional Arab culture set within a dynamic ultra-modern city with new attractions springing up virtually every day.
Dubai is a place of profound contrasts. In Dubai, you will find luxurious residential districts just minutes from dusty traditional villages. Shifting sand dunes and rugged mountains are only miles from beautiful sandy beaches, lush green parks, and world-class golf courses. Tourists can go ahead and spend their money in some of the largest and most modern shopping malls in the world, or bargain with Arabic traders in Dubai’s traditional marketplaces.
People visiting Dubai can choose to stay in one of its many luxury hotels. Or for a more authentic Dubai experience, a person can rent a beautifully furnished villa or apartment in one of Dubai’s newer residential areas. Dubai apartment rentals offer the visitors more space for less money and provide a distinctive perspective on this unique city.
Rapid Pace of Development
The frantic pace of new development taking place in Dubai has made it one of the most futuristic cities on the planet. The city skyline now highlights sleek new skyscrapers such as Burj Al-Arab, the world’s tallest hotel, and Emirates Towers. The Mall of the Emirates which opened in 2005 is the largest shopping center outside of North. It features one of the world’s only indoor ski slopes.
Many other large developments and attractions are also underway in Dubai. Some of them are:
– Dubai Mall
– Burj Dubai
– The Dubai Waterfront project will be the largest waterfront and largest man-made development in the world. It will be a series of canals and artificial islands housing a number of commercial, residential, and resort zones.
Center for Shopping Tourism
Shopping is far and away the most popular attraction in Dubai. Its malls and marketplaces are stocked with an incredible array of items from everywhere imaginable. Shopping tourists by the millions visit Dubai from all parts of Europe and the Middle East and even come from as far away as Eastern Europe, India, and North America.
The souks of Dubai offer the most interesting shopping experience in Dubai. These traditional Arabic markets are located on either side of Dubai creek running through the city. The Gold Souk and Spice Souk are the two most popular. Here shoppers can get exotic items brought in from points across the Middle East and the Orient. Bargaining in traditional Middle Eastern style is usually an important part of shopping in the souks.
In recent years the traditional type of shopping has met with stiff competition from more western style stores. Fantastic shopping malls and upscale boutiques are now everywhere throughout the city and carry virtually any consumer item you can imagine: clothing, housewares, luxury items, cars, furnishings, jewelry, electronics, sporting equipment. You name it and you will probably find it in the boutiques and malls of Dubai.
These and many more attractions make Dubai a favorite destination for tourists and an important hub for business travelers from around the world. Future developments are likely to enhance Dubai’s status as a world-class business center and a haven for tourists in search of a unique and exciting adventure.