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