Dubai forecast to be a 2010 holiday hotspot

Posted by: John Wednesday, 3 February 2010 11:02 PM[UAE] - USA

Help me understand why anyone would travel to Dubai? Is it the shopping, the 5 star hotels or what? It seems like any destination on this planet would be more interesting, and fancy hotels are everywhere.

Posted by: Omar Monday, 28 December 2009 4:58 PM[UAE]

I never hid behind anything. I am Muslim but very open towards all opinions. I can not recall that i brought the Sharia or religious matter in any of my opinions. I do not agree with everything in UAE. Only God is perfect and being an Arab American, i realize how valuable freedom of speech is. In fact, i join voices with harsh opinions criticizing the Nuclear energy programs and the Burj Dubai idea. It's a shame that UAE that has 360 days a year of sunshine is going nuclear while we were all hoping to expand the great Masdar initiative!What a pitty! Also, Burj Dubai has never been a necessity!there is ample space across UAE. Even New York was not smart at all to build skyscrapers! Also, i have always crticized the real estate bubble that exploded (still believing that real estate prices will NOT crumble to cheap levels). So some tolerance please from everyone please. Yes, i respect and love UAE very much but i also stick to my beliefs!If you are jealous bcz this country is doing very well much better than your place, then, you should really restructure yourselves!!!!! Yes, Dubai is facing serious challenges but this does not make it bad at all.I am also facing serious financial challenges but i keep quiet and hope for the better!Otherwise, i could leave today. Why do not i??Bcz i know very well that the situation is not all better in the US?So i keep my mouth shut and say thank you UAE!

Posted by: alex Monday, 28 December 2009 10:22 AM[UAE]

Dubai/UAE has some great attractions but it does all feel artificial. Why not clean up places like Hatta which could become a world class attraction - a lived in piece of history! Looking at pictures from the 1960 and 1970's the creek looked like well the madinat! So why not have the real thing instead of an imitation? This would make dubai a tourism centre with lasting appeal and interest - after all beaches are found elsewhere, so are hotels, shopping malls and tall towers......... I think an opportunity lost

Posted by: MM Sunday, 27 December 2009 9:31 AM[UAE] - United Arab Emirates

Mr. Brinson, with all due respect, Dubai must be a bland city for you. But there are different kind of people on this planet, of which people like to see and enjoy a city in making. So let them come and enjoy and there are thousands here working whose lives are dependent on tourism growth in this city. So let them have their jobs and if you could, help them, but not hurt them. Secondly, glad to know in Dubai it feels like Asian country. Although it was a racist statement from your side, I always prefer to holiday in Asian countries which is full of color and alternatives for best price. So i guess that makes Dubai attractive.

Posted by: BRANDO Saturday, 26 December 2009 6:34 PM[UAE] - UK

@zaka ulla Khan That is so true, a new destination can end up just a fad, a successful tourism destination is one that keeps tourists coming back year after year. That is a challenge that takes value for money, good service and a wide range of attractions that appeal to a wide range of people. In some ways a new destination is like a new song in the charts...and alot of them end up as one hit wonders. UAE Tourism officials should get together to offer/promote a much wider range of attractions as not everyone is interested in new shiny cities and Disney like theme parks. You should consider putting more of the Arabian back into the Arabian adventure!