Dubai Named One of the Top Ten Cities in the World to Visit by The Traveling American
Over the past twenty-five years, The Traveling American has visited over one hundred cities around the world. This article focuses on one of the best cities we have visited outside of the United States and Canada. All places have their faults, but some cities have special characteristics that make them more memorable to visit. The task of naming the Top Ten World Cities was a difficult one and we considered an initial list of twenty-five places. We then selected twelve cities (there were a few ties) that we believe are the most interesting to see for our Top Ten list.
Flying into Dubai on Emirates Airlines or arriving by cruise ship is an unusual experience. Seeing skyscrapers, resort hotels, highways and beaches suddenly emerge out of the desert is like arriving in Las Vegas. Both places were gambles that defied conventional wisdom and both places provide remarkable sites to see and things to do for an unending stream of visitors. The conceptual vision of Dubai, its architectural wonders, and the continuing efforts of its government to push economic development to new heights merit the city’s inclusion in The Traveling American’s Top 10 list of World Cities as our Number 7
Unusual History- Throughout the 19th century and early 20th century, Emirati and Persian traders and local fishermen established a series of small ports along the eastern shore of the Persian Gulf. They hoped for a quiet life free from the control of the Iranian monarchs across the Gulf and the British empire. The discovery of vast petroleum reserves in the 1950s focused new attention on the region. Since Dubai lacked significant oil reserves like Abu Dhabi and other neighbors, Dubai needed to be creative to develop its economy. Building on the vision of his grandfather Sheikh Rashid, current leader Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum attracted billions of dollars of capital to Dubai and spent it to build a modern city. After 40 years of frenetic construction and commercial development, Dubai has become a location where international business is conducted in dazzling architectural venues alongside unique luxury destinations and other forms of entertainment. Here are the principal landmarks and attractions that have made Dubai an international attraction:
Burj Khalifa – This half mile high building and tower is the tallest structure in the world by some measures. Built over a period of five years, the tower houses 163 floors of residences, office space, a broadcasting center, an Armani hotel and an observation deck that provides inspiring views of the city to the east and the endless desert to the west.
Burj Al Arab Hotel- This hotel cemented Dubai’s reputation for over-the-top buildings and projects. Labeled as a seven-star hotel by some, the Burj is located on a man-made island and offers guests a unique and expensive experience. Built to resemble the sails of a ship, the opulent Burj is a photo stop on every city tour.
Modern and Traditional Shopping Venues – Local traders have imported goods from locations around Africa, the Middle East and Asia to the traditional souks along Dubai Creek for generations. However, the modern Dubai shopping experience features air-conditioned malls catering to shoppers seeking luxury brands from around the world. The Dubai Mall in Center City attracts an estimated 80 million visitors each year to its 1300 retail outlets and 20 food and beverage locations. Another popular alternative is the Mall of the Emirates constructed in 1999 which combines flagship stores from international brands with entertainment options such as Ski Dubai, an aquarium, movie theaters, and other fantasy alternatives.
Amusements and Events - Dubai opened an indoor theme park known as IMG’s World of Adventure in 2016. It features many attractions based on Marvel Comics and Cartoon Network characters. Shortly thereafter, Dubai Parks and Resorts opened an attraction offering three theme parks and a waterpark. The most popular attraction there is a motion picture theme park called Motiongate Dubai which brings to life the movie creations of Columbia Pictures, DreamWorks Animation, and Lionsgate using various rides and guest immersion into the world of film making. Another park called Bollywood Parks Dubai is the only theme park in the world which focuses exclusively on Bollywood movies and themes. For families with young children, the Dubai Park includes Legoland Dubai which has several dozen rides and shows, models created from millions of Lego bricks, and the Legoland Water Park. Dubai has also built modern sports facilities and hosts a wide variety of international competitions including golf, tennis, rugby and cricket tournaments. Owing in part to Sheikh Mohammed’s love of horses, the Dubai World Cup held at the beautiful Meydan racetrack in March offers the richest purse of any horse race in the world.
Palm Jumeirah Island - A real estate company owned by the government of Dubai built a residential and resort community several miles offshore by creating a 1400-acre island paradise on reclaimed seabed. Known as the Palm Jumeirah and costing an estimated $12 billion, the island was sculpted in the shape of palm leaves that branch off from a central causeway that runs over three miles from the mainland. The streets are lined with 4500 penthouses, villas, and apartments, each with its own beachfront and in many cases a dock and swimming pool. There are over 30 hotels on the island, including the 2000 room Atlantis The Palm Hotel which looms over the entire island
Desert Adventures - Despite the glitter of the city, some people who visit Dubai want to experience the desert environment during their trip. Half day desert safaris usually include a buffet feast in a desert encampment along with dune riding and other cultural activities such as camel rides, belly dancing, music, and falconry demonstrations.
Day Trips- The five emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates each have their own special character and attractions. Visitors to Dubai often like to sample these other destinations such as Yas Island in nearby Abu Dhabi. Ferrari World is the centerpiece of Abu Dhabi’s entertainment district and can be reached in about 90 minutes by car. A huge complex located mostly indoors, Ferrari World appeals to adults and children by emphasizing racing-based rides, roller coasters, and other simulations. New activities there include a zip line attraction and a roof walk that allows guests to climb over the large red roof that envelops the park. A virtual tour of a Ferrari factory and plenty of Italian food round out the activities there. Yas Island also has its own water park and more entertainment activities are being developed there.