Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Dubai: A Real Success Story

By Chris Linch

Dubai is a member of the federation of the United Arab Emirates, formed in 1971. A visionary ruler, Sheik Saeed Al Maktoum realized shortly after the discovery of oil in 1966 that Dubai's reserves were rather modest by Arab standards, and set about using to them to create long term prosperity for his people.

To that end, he began building the greatest sports, tourist, vacation home and emerging business centers in the world. He had everything he needed to succeed: Located at the cross-roads of Asia, Europe and Africa, Dubai is well positioned to attract tourists looking for somewhere new and different, a destination combining the traditions of the east with the comforts of the west. Sunshine, shopping, seaside, sports and safety - five of the key ingredients that have earned Dubai a growing reputation as one of the world's most attractive and rapidly developing leisure destinations.

An intriguing land that combines old-world souks and modern shopping malls, rolling sand dunes and championship grass golf courses, remote Bedouinvillages and an array of five-star hotels, Dubai defies easy definition. Both business travelers and tourists find that Dubai offers the highest standards of comfort and luxury. As befits a dynamic and prosperous business centre, Dubai's ultramodern hotels offer every luxury. Yet the comforts of the 21st century co-exist comfortably with the emirate's rich Arab-Islamic culture.

The city is a world class dining destination as well. And the night life is surprisingly lively. The dining choices tend to center around the hotels, because they can sell alcohol in this Muslim city.

Avid sportsmen love Dubai because the climate makes it possible to be outdoors virtually every day. The variety of activities is astounding: you can deep-sea fish, ice skate, golf on a championship course, or sand skiing in the desert.

If you like to watch, as well as participate, Dubai attracts the best ranked players and teams from a wide range of sports.

In the space of just three decades, Dubai has emerged as the undisputed sports capital of the Middle East. Among the numerous top class events held in the emirate are the Desert Classic PGA Golf Tournament, UIM Class One Powerboat World Championships, ATP Dubai Tennis Open, Dubai Sevens Rugby Tournament and the Dubai World Cup horse race to name a few.

Dubai also hosts polo, volleyball, ice-skating, hockey, bowling, darts, chess, show jumping, dressage, snooker and power boat racing. The diversity of cosmopolitan Dubai is reflected in the number and range of activities it embraces.

But while many of the sports taking place in Dubai originated overseas, tradition is never forgotten. Camel racing is a spectacular and highly popular sport throughout the winter months and the annual sailing dhow race - an event which features smaller versions of the traditional dhow - draws the crowds in their thousands for a sight from another century and that is the very essence of Dubai - a synthesis of old and new.

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