Dubai
Facts about Dubai
background info
Tourism in Dubai is a part of the Dubai government’s strategy to maintain the flow of foreign cash into the emirates. Dubai’s lure for tourists is based mainly on shopping, but also on its possession of other ancient and modern attractions. Dubai got ranked as the world’s 7th most visited city by international tourists that have visited Dubai according to the recently released list and survey of Euromonitor in 2018. Over the last decade, Dubai has seen strong growth within the tourism sector through the addition of new attractions and landmarks. Dubai attracted 13.2 million visitors in 2014, the majority of which come from neighbouring Arab countries. Visitors from all parts of the world are also common.
According to the Dubai Tourism Board, in 2017, there were 15.79[6] millions of tourist visiting Dubai. It is estimated that there will be 20 million visitors in 2020.
Tourist accommodation in Dubai is ubiquitous and relatively expensive. In the last three years, Dubai saw an increase in 4 and 5-star hotels and a number of rooms, but a decrease in standard hotel apartments. The total number of rooms increased by 9,098 from 2015-2017, an increase of 9.25%. In early August 2013, plans for Dubai’s first underwater hotel, the Water Discus Hotel, were publicly revealed. Developed by Polish company Deep Ocean Technology, the Water Discus will be the world’s largest hotel of its kind and will be in addition to two underwater suites in existence at Dubai’s The Palm: Atlantis Accommodation Venue.
Cultural Ethics and Dress Code
Tourists are required to obey some Muslim religious restrictions in public even if they are not Muslim themselves, such as refraining from eating or drinking in public places in the daytime during Ramadan fasting. In 2008 one Russian woman was put on trial for drinking juice in public during the month of Ramadan. Dubai has a modest dress code as part of its criminal law. Sleeveless tops and short dresses may not be allowed at Dubai Mall. Clothes are advised to be inappropriate lengths. Expats and tourists are not allowed to consume alcohol in public, besides licensed venues (such as bars and hotel restaurants) or private homes. Apostasy is a crime punishable by death in the UAE. UAE incorporates hudud crimes of Islamic law into its Penal Code – apostasy being one of them. Although no one has ever been sentenced to death for apostasy, Article 1 and Article 66 of UAE’s Penal Code requires hudud crimes to be punished with the death penalty, Therefore apostasy is punishable by death in the UAE.
Transportation Connections
Most capitals and other major cities have direct flights to Dubai. More than 120 airlines operate to and from Dubai International Airport to more than 260 destinations, making it one of the world’s busiest. Dubai is also the home base of Emirates Airline, the international airline of the UAE, which operates scheduled services to more than 100 destinations. In June 2009 Emirates airline designated a special handling area at departures and arrivals for passengers with special needs, allowing wheelchair passengers to receive a more personalized service. The establishment of the first cruise terminal in Dubai in 2001 and the opening of the enhanced New Dubai Cruise Terminal in February 2010 with higher handling capacity has drawn the attention of cruise line operators. Cruises to Dubai sail from: Singapore, Sydney, Athens, Dover, Venice, Cape Town, Civitavecchia, Piraeus, Alexandria, Istanbul, New York City, Southampton, Barcelona, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Los Angeles, Mumbai, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Monte Carlo, Mombasa, Victoria, and Cairns among others. The United Arab Emirates has a network of roads that connect major towns and villages, including a multi-lane highway between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with access to and from the bordering countries of Saudi Arabia and Oman. Highways and main roads in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates are designated by an Emirate Route Number. Speed limits are displayed on road signs and are usually 60-80kph (37-50 mph) around town and 100-120kph (62-74 mph) elsewhere. Dubai ranked third in the best taxi services behind Tokyo and Singapore.
Things to know about Dubai before Traveling
Dubai’s many wonders are well documented, but when it comes down to the basics – like public transport, weather, culture, and business – all you need is in this essential guide. So, with your plane tickets and hotel booked, read on to discover all you need to know before visiting our emirate.
Getting to Dubai
Easily Accessible By Air, Land, and Sea
Dubai is ideally situated at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, meaning that one-third of the world’s population is within a four-hour flight and two-thirds are within an eight-hour flight. With an excellent network of roads and highways connecting neighboring Arab countries, and regular cruises to and from Dubai, the emirate is easily accessible by air, land, and sea.
More than 125 airlines fly to Dubai from destinations around the world, and a first-rate network of highways connect Dubai and neighboring GCC countries. Whether traveling by car or bus, a modern network of first-class roads and highways link the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates.
Getting around in Dubai
State-Of-The-Art Transport System
Connect seamlessly from the airport to your meeting using Dubai’s state-of-the-art transport system. You’ll find a string of public taxis awaiting your arrival and, being a relatively small city, you can expect to be at your hotel or remote office in under 30 minutes. They accept most major credit cards, and will soon be wifi-enabled for passengers to stay connected on the go. You can alternatively use apps such as Uber or local-based Careem to hire a taxi.
Alternatively, jump on the Dubai Metro. The Red Line runs through the heart of the city along the arterial Sheikh Zayed Road. Stations serve the primary business hubs, such as the World Trade Centre, host to many of the city’s big conventions and exhibitions, and the Dubai International Financial Centre (hop off at Financial Centre station). The line continues all the way south to Jebel Ali and is being extended to eventually serve the World Expo 2020 site.
To make the most of Dubai’s public transport system, purchase a prepaid NOL card, which can be used for the Metro, Tram, buses, and taxis. NOL cards can be purchased from any of Dubai’s Metro stations and selected bus stations.
Weather in Dubai
Sun All Year Round
Given our location in the Arabian Desert, Dubai enjoys a warm climate year-round. The winter months from October through to May are the mildest, with average temperatures ranging from around 20 degrees centigrade to the mid-30s. During the summer months of June through September, the weather heats up, with averages from high-30s to mid-40s. This is when Dubai’s plethora of indoor attractions and facilities come to the fore, making Dubai a year-round destination.
Culture and Customs
Home To 200 Different Nationalities
Dubai is a very tolerant, cosmopolitan and multicultural city. Its residents are made up of more than 200 different nationalities – all living together harmoniously. Demonstrating a heritage of rich Arabian hospitality, Dubai is a very welcoming city. Just when visiting any foreign destination, the local customs and culture should be respected.
Being largely a Muslim country, it is recommended to dress modestly, particularly within the workplace. The work week runs from Sunday to Thursday, with Friday and Saturday being the weekend. The usual business hours are adhered to in most private enterprises, but government buildings may close around 2.30pm each day.
Dubai is the region’s biggest business hubs, with its central global location playing a vital role in its importance within international commerce. Business travelers should not take offense if, when meeting with professionals of the opposite sex, they are not offered a handshake. To avoid any awkwardness, the best advice is to wait for a hand to be offered to you. It’s worth remembering that Muslims are required to pray five times a day as part of their faith. Most of the time this will go unnoticed by business travelers, but it’s worth bearing in mind when planning your meeting schedule.
8 Unique Experiences You Can Only Have In Dubai
Dubai has been ranked as one of the most famous destinations in the world to visit. Yet its many beaches, record-breaking structures and the plethora of shopping and dining options are merely one side to this exciting city. We go beyond the usual and sample the most unique experiences only Dubai can offer.
Watch the sunset from the Burj Khalifa
One can witness many a beautiful sunset, but something about seeing it from the top of the Burj Khalifa – the world’s tallest structure at 122 floors – makes it that more magical. The trip to the top is a short one, and the 360-degree view of the city and the golden hue of sunset is surely something to look forward to! Make sure you bring your camera to capture the moment.
Tripcare Adventures’ tip: Book your spots in advance for half-priced tickets, and make sure to visit during winter months for the clearest views of the city!
Zip-line through the Dubai Fountain
If you’re one of the lucky few to book a ride, you’ll have an experience of a lifetime. The X-line is a zip wire ride through the center of downtown Dubai and over the world’s largest choreographed fountain system, the Dubai Fountain – even when it’s dancing.
Tripcare Adventures’ tip: If you’re lucky enough to be selected to have a go, book that ticket and plan your trip around it.
Spend a day in the world’s largest indoor Amusement Park
The newly opened IMG: Worlds of Adventure is the world’s largest indoor amusement and makes for a fantastic day trip for the whole family. Filled with Marvel and Cartoon Network characters, along with dinosaurs and an insanely fast roller coaster that takes you in and out of the park, it’s a dream place for adventure seekers of all ages. There are plenty of food and shopping outlets and a cinema for those who prefer to chill out while the others explore the rides!
Tripcare Adventures’ tip: Make sure to plan a whole day just for this, you won’t want to miss out on some of these rides.
Shop in one of the world’s largest Malls
A shopping and dining experience to remember, The Dubai Mall is one of the largest and fully air-conditioned malls in the world and offers everything from Payless to Manolo Blahnik, from Starbucks to Vogue Café and from Forever 21 to Louis Vuitton. There’s a little something for everyone and the world knows it.
Tripcare Adventures’ tip: Early mornings is the quietest time to shop; make sure you catch the sales and put your walking shoes on because this place will test you!
Skydive over The Palm Jumeirah Island
Sure, you can skydive over a lot of places, but not many take you over some of the world’s largest man-made islands and skyscrapers! It’s an incredible view and the well-trained guides at Sky Dive will help you make the best of this breath-taking experience.
Tripcare Adventures’ tip: Best view of the city is during the winter months, and booking in advance is a must.
Go Skiing in the indoor Ski Park
Dubai’s a hot place, but Ski Dubai is one of the best ways to cool down. Open every day of the year, you can head down for a ski or snowboarding session, camp overnight or just take the kids for a visit to say hello to the local penguins! Spend a day in the world’s largest indoor amusement park!
Tripcare Adventures’ tip: A great option if you decide to head to Dubai for a winter holiday!
Dive into the Dubai Mall Aquarium
If you’ve ever wanted to swim with sharks, now’s your chance! Just visit the Dubai Mall Aquarium, home to a ten-million-liter tank filled with aquatic wildlife. Guided by qualified instructors, the dive is one to remember, for you and those watching from the outside.
Tripcare Adventures’ tip: Not everyone’s got the guts to dive into this adventure. Make sure to check with us and book in advance for full details.
Splash around in the largest inflatable Water Park in the Middle East
Newly opened, just in time for Dubai’s beach season, the Dubai Aqua Park, located just off the coast of The Beach at JBR, is the latest water-based playground in the region. Grab your friends and head to the beach, you won’t want to miss this!
Tripcare Adventures’ Tip: Don’t forget your sunscreen!
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