Since the establishment of the United Arab Emirates in 1971, Dubai has developed a unique identity as a modern and productive emirate.
Strategically located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa, Dubai has become a growing commercial and finance center creating an environment that attracts businesses and individuals.
Dubai is an ideal investment venue and has attracted many investors seeking for new opportunities. Many global companies established their main offices in the city and at its many free trade zones.
With a fast growing economy and international reputation Dubai is rapidly gaining ground in the international MICE and PCO markets as well, for several reasons. Dubai's international airport is the world's fastest growing airport regarding international passenger throughout, with a growth of 19,31 per cent. It offers direct flights to more than 136 destinations worldwide and regarding Emirates airline, it is considered to be one of the top five airlines in the world flying to more than 80 destinations. This makes Dubai a well accessible city providing high motives to meeting organizers and also business travelers.
On the other hand it is a city with a great range and quality of hotel accomodation. All the major international hotels groups have properties established in it, from five star beach-front hotels to high quality ones, apartments and hotels within the city in affordable prices as well. Most of the 320 hotels and 110 apartments have business and meeting facilities. There is a great range of conference meeting rooms, exhibition halls and theatres capable of accommodating from 10 to 25000 attendees with the best facilities ever found.
Beyond these facts and although relatively new to the meeting and incentive travel, Dubai is already considered to be a serious competitor among other countries that were traditionally meeting venues. It combines ideally the exotic experiences and excitement with professional destination management services and offers to the visitor all the conforts of the western world with the aroma of Arabia.
Dubai Creek divides the city in two halves, Bur Dubai and Beira.
Dubai's main attractions are the historic quarter of Bastakia, old souks and covered marketplaces, the Dubai Museum, housed in the beautifully restored Al Fahidi Fort and of course Dubai Creek itself. The Diving Village offers a cultural microcosm of pearl diving and fishing. Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House, a museum restored from the house of Dubai's former ruler dating back to the 1800's is in the same area.
Visitors can also drive west and reach the popular suburb of Jumeirah, where some of the finest hotels and resorts are located with sunny beaches and plenty of water sport activities. In Jumeirah there's the Grand Mosque, an important place for worship.
Also someone can visit Ski Dubai the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East. It is covered with real snow and with temperature controlled from 1 to 2 degrees, it is accessible all year round. The theme is that of a mountain resort, where ski instructors teach the visitors to ski or snowboard. In the resort there is a retail shop, themed restaurants and the World's largest Snow Park.
There are standard or on demand tours that can last from a few hours to several days. City tours, excursions in the desert, through the wadis (dried up river beds), tours to the beautiful Hajar mountains and tours to the East Coast and the fine beaches of the Indian ocean. Visitors can also take helicopter or boat tours as well. One of the best excursions and something not to miss, is the adventure of visiting the Arabian desert. Safaris in the dunes, sand skiing, moonlit arabian barbecues and camel races are certainly a 'must see".
And of course one of the main attractions in the city are the mall and the magnificent skyscrapers all around the city.
For those who seek a relaxed holiday the city's beautiful hotels offer all the amenities for this.
Finally, for the sporting visitors there's a full calendar of international events - horse racing, rallying, golf, powerboat racing, rugby, which make Dubai the sports capital of the Middle East.
For business and vacation as well, Dubai is the perfect place that can satisfy all visitors needs in an elegant and sufficient way, a place that none sould miss.
Contact information
Dubai Convention Bureau
PO BOX 594 - . - DUBAI - United Arab Emirates
Tel: (971) 4 201 0220 - Fax: (971) 4 201 0414
http://www.dcb.ae