Dubai Tourism: IXS

Tourism in Dubai is an important part of the Dubai government's strategy to maintain the flow of foreign dollars into the emirate. Besides shopping,Dubai has many wonderful ancient and modern attractions that are luring the tourists from all over the world.

Out of the seven emirates of United Arab Emirates, Dubai is the most populous one.It is not an Oil rich state. It revenues from oil account for only 6% of its gross domestic product. This aspect makes Dubai distinct from other members of the UAE. A majority of the emirate's revenues is from the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZ) and now, increasingly, from tourism.

The location of Dubai is of great importance. It is located at the cross-roads of Europe, Asia and Africa and is easily accessible to these regions.Most capitals and other major cities have direct flights to Dubai. More than 80 airlines operate to and from Dubai International Airport to more than 130 destinations. This air schedule makes Dubai International Airport one of the worlds busiest airport. Dubai is also the home base of Emirates Airline. It is the international airline of the UAE. It successfully operates scheduled services to more than 80 destinations.

Most of the travelers require a visit visa to enter Dubai. However, the facility of Entry Permit is provided to the citizens and some residents of Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) and citizens of a number of states in Europe in elsewhere. The entry permit is stamped in their passport upon arrival and it has validity period of 90 days. Visitors from other nationalities require the sponsorship of any U.A.E. resident or any company or hotel licensed to operate within the U.A.E. and its validity period is 30-day stay. It is important to note here that nationals of Israel are not allowed to enter the U.A.E.

Dubai has earned the reputation of "shopping capital of the Middle East." The city draws large numbers of shopping tourists from countries within the region and from as far as Eastern Europe, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent. Dubai is also known for its souk districts. Souk is the Arabic word for market or place where any kind of goods are brought or exchanged. Traditionally, Sailing vessels from the Far East, China, Sri Lanka, and India would discharge their cargos and the goods would be bargained over in the souks adjacent to the docks. Dubai's most atmospheric shopping is to be found in the souks and these souk are located on either side of the creek.

Modern shopping malls and boutiques are also found in the city. Dubai Duty Free at Dubai International Airport has a great attraction for the International tourists. It offers merchandise catering to the multinational passengers using Dubai International Airport. While boutiques, some electronics shops, department stores and supermarkets may operate on a fixed-price basis, most other outlets consider friendly negotiation as a way of life

The Dubai Shopping festival is another great event that attracts millions of visitors every year. This month-long festival held during month of January each year, During the festival the entire emirate becomes one massive shopping mall. Additionally, the festival brings together music shows, art exhibitions, and folk dances that lure the tourists from all parts of the world.

The old culture of Dubai is also an attraction for the tourists. Aspects of Dubai's old culture can be found by visiting places around the creek, which splits Dubai into two halves, Bur Dubai and Deira. The buildings lining the Bur Dubai side of the Creek provides the main flavor of the old city. Heritage Village offers a simulacrum of old Dubai. The adjoining Diving Village offers exhibits on pearl diving and fishing. The Diving Village forms part of an ambitious plan to turn the entire Shindagha area into a cultural city, recreating life in Dubai as it was in days gone by.Other attractions include the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House; the Dubai Museum in the restored Al Fahidi Fort, which was erected around 1799; and the Heritage Village of Hatta, situated 115 kilometers southeast of Dubai City in the heart of the rocky Hatta Mountains.

Tourism is important component of Dubai economic progress. This is because Tourism needs good infrastructure such as roads, airports, hotels, apartments and man made attractions. Tourism is important component of Dubai economic diversification drive towards non oil economic growth. The number of tourists visiting Dubai is projected to reach 15 million by the year 2010.

For more information about Dubai Tourism visit: http://united-arab-emirates.ixs.net/travel/dubai-tourism/index.aspx