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