Party like it’s 1999

BIG HIT: Kylie Minogue during her performance at the Atlantis party. (Getty Images)

It may seem incongruous or even insensitive to host a $20 million party in the current economic climate but, once again, Dubai has shown strength and vision that will improve its long term prospects.

I watched the opening party of Atlantis the Palm on the television in the UK. The country’s most popular breakfast television show, GMTV, was broadcasting live twice per hour from one of Palm Island’s fronds.

The coverage included red carpet interviews with Hollywood Oscar winners, multi-million album selling singers, business billionaires, and even some minor European royals.

Breakfast TV viewers feasted on footage of the most spectacular firework display since the Beijing Olympics; lapped up the glamour of the world’s most beautiful women; and envied at the presenter reporting in his shirt sleeves from beneath clear blue Dubai skies.

The talk over Friday brunch in Dubai will be about how unfair it is that the world’s glitterati had favoured access to the Atlantis celebrations, while those living in the city were not even allowed to set foot on Palm Island for two days prior to the event.

This though would be missing the point. The cost of the world’s most lavish hotel opening party was not just an ego trip for the resort’s owners, or even a marketing stunt to push up its revenue per average room.

It was a Dubai government-backed initiative to show the world that the city remains one of the most spectacular tourist destinations in the world, and that it will serve as an oasis of delight in a global desert of gloom.

The world is entering a downturn in tourism and business travel that will last into 2010. But while every destination will be affected, including Dubai, some will suffer more than others.

The positive coverage gained from Atlantis’s $20 million party will prove to be a masterstroke of marketing that will ensure Dubai has the best possible chance to weather the coming storm.

By the end of what is going to be a global recession, expect the emirate to emerge even more dominant against its competitors than it is today.

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READERS' COMMENTS

Arrogance & pride blind people
Posted by A.L.S, Dubai on Thursday 27 November 2008 at 08:54 UAE time

Saeed , A good citizen can realize when something had been done wrong! You just said that Niger or Somalia have real problems - yes its very true! They suffer from poverty and war but Dubai having a lavish party in Millions does not help them does it!!!!! You are blinded by your own arrogance, greed and pride! Dubai is nothing spectacular when the money is gone! The Atlantis in the Bahamas had to fire +-800 staff members because of the financial crises = 800 people could have still jobs to feed their families and remove them from poverty!!!

Atlantis
Posted by sid, Sharjah on Wednesday 26 November 2008 at 22:30 UAE time

You're not actually getting paid for writing this nonsense, are you?

Journalists in Denial
Posted by Hamza Nihal, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Tuesday 25 November 2008 at 13:25 UAE time


I think youre in complete denial. As is the govt and the resort. Journalists expose, they don’t cover up.

I hope to see better quality emerging from GCC websites and I am sorry to say I am utterly disappointed with your synopsis.

Singapore....Dubai no comparison
Posted by FooBoy on Tuesday 25 November 2008 at 09:44 UAE time


Saeed I've lived in both Singapore and Dubai - no comparison I'm afraid. Dubai is a Singapore wannabe!

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