| Due to its location the UAE has been able to act as a | | | | Dubai's GDP (Gross domestic product), with some |
| connecting link between Europe and the Indian | | | | estimates putting it as high as 20 per cent. In fact |
| subcontinent, the Far East and Africa since time | | | | tourism is expected to over take oil exports as an |
| immemorial. It is still playing the role of intermediary | | | | important source of revenue in the near future. Dubai's |
| between these vastly different cultures, the only | | | | 255 hotels have a total of 17,253 rooms and |
| difference being that air travel has significantly | | | | occupancy in 1998 averaged 49.3 per cent. Since |
| increased the number of visitors who come to the | | | | January 1997 when the Department of Tourism and |
| UAE. Traditional Arab hospitality and a delightful winter | | | | Commerce Marketing (DTCM) took over from the |
| climate complemented by a highly sophisticated | | | | Tourism and Trade Promotion Council, there has been |
| infrastructure and crime-free environment, have also | | | | renewed focus on worldwide promotion of Dubai as |
| contributed in recent years to creating an ideal | | | | an ideal tourist destination and a thriving commercial |
| atmosphere for the development of tourism. | | | | and business center, very attractive for Dubai property |
| The UAE is also endowed with an extensive coastline, | | | | investors. This has involved setting up the DTCM |
| sandy beaches and varied landscape, where a wide | | | | representative offices in many countries across the |
| variety of activities can be indulged, ranging from | | | | globe as well as participation in numerous international |
| powerboat races to sand-skiing. Manicured golf | | | | tourism fairs. In addition, the DTCM has launched very |
| courses provide ready enjoyment and for the less | | | | successful advertising campaigns worldwide. The |
| active shopping opportunities abound. In addition, the | | | | DTCM also organizes tourism-related exhibitions in |
| country's deep-rooted cultural heritage, accessible in | | | | Dubai. Early in 1999 it hosted the Arabian Marine |
| the many cultural centers and at traditional sports such | | | | Tourism Conference, the first of its kind to be held in |
| as falconry, camel- racing and horse-racing, has been | | | | the region. In May more than 500 exhibitors from 40 |
| a powerful attraction for tourists. The UAE has also | | | | countries participated in the Arab Travel Market 99, |
| become a much sought after venue for conferences, | | | | which was also held under the auspices of the DTCM. |
| regional and international exhibitions and major sports | | | | Not surprisingly, since the number of tourists is |
| events such as the Dubai World Cup, the Dubai Desert | | | | expected to reach three million by the end of the year |
| Classic Golf Tournament, and polo and cricket | | | | 2000, Dubai has a number of major tourism-related |
| competitions. It also has one of the best selections of | | | | projects coming on-stream. |
| Dubai property available for investors. | | | | Tourism in Dubai is an important part of the Dubai |
| The growth of the tourism industry in Dubai in the past | | | | government's strategy to maintain the flow of foreign |
| few years is generally described in superlatives: | | | | dollars into the emirate. Since the formation of the |
| incredible, phenomenal, outstanding, stellar, inspiring, | | | | United Arab Emirates in 1971, Dubai has developed |
| triumphant and just about any other laudatory | | | | rapidly from oil and gas based state to a broadly |
| adjective you can think of. Although one might be | | | | based market economy. A 30-year development plan |
| tempted to pass this off as marketing hype, in Dubai's | | | | provided for substantial investment in property in Dubai, |
| case, it may well be warranted. Tourism in the area is | | | | education and infrastructure (transport and |
| booming. | | | | telecommunications) and has led to rapid growth in |
| Independent studies show that the tourism industry has | | | | trade and inward investment. |
| accounted for a steadily increasing percentage of | | | | |