Why Dubai?

Now that we've got your attention ...

We're not going anywhere near the hot button issue of whether Dubai Ports World should acquire five U.S. container terminals. However, since this tiny emirate is receiving so much attention, we thought now would be an interesting time to highlight just a little of what Dubai offers as a tourist destination:

• The world's only 7 star hotel
  Burj Al Arab is the world's only 7 Star Hotel ... and probably the only one purposely designed to look like a billowing sail. You're free to take photos, from a distance of one kilometer, but access to the hotel is only granted to guests or those seeking lunch, dinner, or high tea.
  
• Fantastic man-made island resorts
  The World is a man-made archipeligo resort of more than 250 artificial islands in the shape of a map of the earth. Nearby are the Palm Islands, three more resorts built upon large artificial islands, each in the shape of a palm tree topped with a crescent.
  
• Shopping
  From traditional souqs to the most modern of western-style malls, Dubai is world renown as a shopping destination (tax free retail probably has something to do with this distinction). Most years, there's even a Shopping Festival.
  
• More
  For your consideration is this Financial Times article:
  Dubai sees future as ally, entrepôt and playground
  By William Wallis
  March 7 2006
  
  Here's an excerpt from the article: "In four decades it has gone from being a pearl fishing and trading outpost to a regional centre for commerce, transport, tourism - and increasingly finance. City officials like to compare Dubai today to New York a century ago - a melting pot of creative endeavour."

Planning to visit Dubai? Let WePlanYourTrip help with the details. Simply contact us. We will be more than happy to assist with your trip planning and travel research.