| Out of the seven emirates of United Arab | | | | souk are located on either side of the creek. |
| Emirates, Dubai is the most populous one.It is not | | | | Modern shopping malls and boutiques are also |
| an Oil rich state. It revenues from oil account for | | | | found in the city. Dubai Duty Free at Dubai |
| only 6% of its gross domestic product. This | | | | International Airport has a great attraction for the |
| aspect makes Dubai distinct from other members | | | | International tourists. It offers merchandise |
| of the UAE. A majority of the emirate's revenues | | | | catering to the multinational passengers using |
| is from the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZ) and now, | | | | Dubai International Airport. While boutiques, some |
| increasingly, from tourism. | | | | electronics shops, department stores and |
| The location of Dubai is of great importance. It is | | | | supermarkets may operate on a fixed-price basis, |
| located at the cross-roads of Europe, Asia and | | | | most other outlets consider friendly negotiation as |
| Africa and is easily accessible to these | | | | a way of life |
| regions.Most capitals and other major cities have | | | | The Dubai Shopping festival is another great |
| direct flights to Dubai. More than 80 airlines | | | | event that attracts millions of visitors every year. |
| operate to and from Dubai International Airport to | | | | This month-long festival held during month of |
| more than 130 destinations. This air schedule | | | | January each year, During the festival the entire |
| makes Dubai Internaional Airport one of the | | | | emirate becomes one massive shopping mall. |
| worlds busiest airport. Dubai is also the home base | | | | Additionally, the festival brings together music |
| of Emirates Airline. It is the international airline of | | | | shows, art exhibitions, and folk dances that lure |
| the UAE. It successfully operates scheduled | | | | the tourists from all parts of the world. |
| services to more than 80 destinations. | | | | The old culture of Dubai is also an attraction for |
| Most of the travelers require a visit visa to enter | | | | the tourists. Aspects of Dubai's old culture can be |
| Dubai. However, the facility of Entry Permit is | | | | found by visiting places around the creek, which |
| provided to the citizens and some residents of | | | | splits Dubai into two halves, Bur Dubai and Deira. |
| Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the | | | | The buildings lining the Bur Dubai side of the Creek |
| Gulf (GCC) and citizens of a number of states in | | | | provides the main flavor of the old city. Heritage |
| Europe in elsewhere. The entry permit is stamped | | | | Village offers a simulacrum of old Dubai. The |
| in their passport upon arrival and it has validity | | | | adjoining Diving Village offers exhibits on pearl |
| period of 90 days. Visitors from other nationalities | | | | diving and fishing. The Diving Village forms part of |
| require the sponsorship of any U.A.E. resident or | | | | an ambitious plan to turn the entire Shindagha |
| any company or hotel licensed to operate within | | | | area into a cultural city, recreating life in Dubai as |
| the U.A.E. and its validity period is 30-day stay. It | | | | it was in days gone by.Other attractions include |
| is important to note here that nationals of Israel | | | | the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House; the Dubai |
| are not allowed to enter the U.A.E. | | | | Museum in the restored Al Fahidi Fort, which was |
| Dubai has earned the reputation of "shopping | | | | erected around 1799; and the Heritage Village of |
| capital of the Middle East." The city draws large | | | | Hatta, situated 115 kilometers southeast of Dubai |
| numbers of shopping tourists from countries | | | | City in the heart of the rocky Hatta Mountains. |
| within the region and from as far as Eastern | | | | Tourism is important component of Dubai |
| Europe, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent. Dubai | | | | economic progress. This is because Tourism |
| is also known for its souk districts. Souk is the | | | | needs good infrastructure such as roads, airports, |
| Arabic word for market or place where any kind | | | | hotels, apartments and man made attractions. |
| of goods are brought or exchanged. Traditionally, | | | | Tourism is important component of Dubai |
| Sailing vessels from the Far East, China, Sri Lanka, | | | | economic diversification drive towards non oil |
| and India would discharge their cargos and the | | | | economic growth. The number of tourists visiting |
| goods would be bargained over in the souks | | | | Dubai is projected to reach 15 million by the year |
| adjacent to the docks. Dubai's most atmospheric | | | | 2010. |
| shopping is to be found in the souks and these | | | | |