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