In the last two decades Dubai has become one of the hottest business and vacation spots on the planet. Dubai 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. Rugged mountains and shifting sand dunes are only miles from beautiful sandy beaches, lush green parks and world-class golf courses. Tourists can 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 market places. Visitors to 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 apartment or villa in one of Dubai's newer residential areas. Dubai apartment rentals offer the visitor more space for less money, and provide a different perspective on this unique city. Rapid Pace of Development The almost frantic pace of new development taking place in Dubai has made it one of the most futuristic cities in the world. The city skyline now highlights sleek new skyscrapers such as the Emirates Towers and Burj Al-Arab, the world's tallest hotel. The Mall of the Emirates which opened in 2005 is the largest shopping center outside of North. It features one one of the world's only indoor ski slopes. And Dubai also boasts one of the few 18 hole golf courses in the world that is fully lit for nighttime golf. Many other large developments and attractions are also underway in Dubai. Just a few of these are: - Dubai Mall - projected to be the largest indoor mall in the world when completed. - Burj Dubai - the tallest skyscraper in the world - scheduled to be completed in 2008. - Dubai World Central including the Dubai World Central International Airport will be the world's largest passenger and cargo hub - ten times larger than the current Dubai International Airport and Dubai Cargo Village combined. - 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 market places are stocked with an incredible array of items from everywhere imaginable. Shopping tourists by the millions visit Dubai rom 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 Spice Souk and the Gold Souk are the two most popular. Here shoppers can find 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, jewellery, electronics, sporting equipment. You name it and you will probably find it in the boutiques and malls of Dubai. The Duty Free complex located at the Dubai International Airport is another mecca for shoppers. Items are brought in from many different parts of the world and can often be purchased for less in Dubai than anywhere else in the Middle East - and often for less than in their country of origin. The Duty Free Complex is one of the largest in the world, but new projects such as the Dubai World Central International Airport will have even more massive duty free areas. These and many more attractions make Dubai a favorite destination of 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.
Please Rate this Article 5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5
Not yet Rated
