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 1st most visited city by international tourists that have visited Dubai according to the recently released list and survey of Euro monitor in 2018.
The United Arab Emirates signed a tourism cooperation agreement with Lebanon on February 10, 2009.
Visitors
| Year | Total international visitors (millions) |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 8.41 |
| 2011 | 9.91 |
| 2012 | 10.95 |
| 2013 | 12.9 |
| 2014 | 13.2 |
| 2015 | 14.2 |
| 2016 | 14.87 |
| 2017 | 15.79 |
| 2018 | 15.92 |
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 neighboring Arab countries. Visitors from all parts of the world are also common.
According to Dubai Tourism Board, in 2017, there were 15.79 millions tourist visiting Dubai.
It is estimated that there will be 20 million visitors in 2020.
Dubai’s Jumeirah Group LLC ended hundreds of jobs as the emirate undergoes a staggering downfall in its tourism sector. The second quarter of 2019 shows occupancy levels in Dubai’s hotels at their lowest since 2009. As per a global hotel data provider, STR, the average daily revenue and rate of rooms also fell to the level of 2003.
Tourist attractions
Burj Khalifa, Dubai Frame, Dubai Park, Dubai Fountain, Burj Al Arab, Desert Safari, Dhow Cruise Marina etc.
Shopping tourism
Dubai has been nicknamed the “shopping capital of the Middle East.”The city draws large numbers of shopping tourists from countries within the region and from as far as Eastern Europe, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent. Dubai is known for its souk districts. Souk is the Arabic word for market or place where any kind of goods are brought or exchanged. Traditionally, dhows from the Far East, China, Sri Lanka, and India would discharge their cargo and the goods would be bargained over in the souks adjacent to the docks.
Modern shopping malls and boutiques are also found in the city. Dubai Duty Free at Dubai International Airport offers merchandise catering to the multinational passengers using Dubai International Airport. Outside of Duty Free areas and major sales, Dubai has a reputation for being one of the most expensive shopping destinations in the world.
While boutiques, some electronics shops, department stores and supermarkets may operate on a fixed-price basis, most other outlets consider friendly negotiation as a way of life.
Dubai’s numerous shopping centres cater for every consumer’s need. Cars, clothing, jewellery, electronics, furnishing, sporting equipment and any other goods will all be likely to be under the same roof.
The Dubai Shopping Festival is a month-long festival held during the month of January each year. During the festival the entire emirate becomes one massive shopping mall. Additionally, the festival brings together music shows, art exhibitions, and folk dances.
The Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) is the summer version of Dubai Shopping Festival held during June, July and August. Dubai Government launched Dubai Summer Surprises in 1998 in order to promote Dubai as a family holiday destination. DSS offers fun, entertainment, food deals and great offers on shopping.
Aspects of Dubai’s old culture, while occasionally overshadowed by the boom in economic development, can be found by visiting places around the creek, which splits Dubai into two halves, Bur Dubai and Deira. The buildings lining the Bur Dubai side of the Creek provide the main flavor of the old city. Heritage Village is one of the few remaining parts of historical Dubai, containing preserved buildings. The adjoining Diving Village offers exhibits on pearl diving and fishing. The Diving Village forms part of an ambitious plan to turn the entire “Shindagha” area into a cultural city, recreating life in Dubai as it was in days gone by.
Other attractions include the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House; the Dubai Museum in the restored Al Fahidi Fort, which was erected around 1799; and the Heritage Village of Hatta, situated 115 kilometers southeast of Dubai City in the heart of the rocky Hatta Mountains. The history of the village can be traced back 2000 – 3000 years. It consists of 30 buildings, each differing in size, interior layout and building materials used. Great care was taken to use the same materials as those used when originally built during the renovation such as mud, hay, sandalwood and palm fronds. The Sharia Mosque is an old mosque built in the early 19th century using the same building materials and consists of a large prayer hall, a court and courtyard, minaret and other utility rooms. Other museums include the Al Ahmadiya School
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