Over the last twenty years or so the Middle Eastern city of Dubai has become one of the hottest vacation and business locations in the world. It is a rapidly developing, fabulously wealthy futuristic city set within a centuries-old Arab culture. The traditional ways are still there if you look for them. But they are gradually being overtaken by the new attractions and developments springing up virtually every day.



In Dubai one can see dusty traditional villages as well as fantastically luxurious residential districts, or visit rugged mountains and majestic sand dunes only a few miles from pristine sandy beaches and lush green parks. Tourists can wander through Dubai's traditional market places or visit some of the largest and most modern indoor shopping malls in the world.

When visiting Dubai there is no shortage of luxury hotels. But for a more authentic Dubai experience visitors can rent beautifully furnished apartments or Dubai villas often for less money. Dubai apartment rentals offer visitors more value for less money, and provide a more interesting close-up look at this unique city.

Development at a Hectic Pace

The fantastic pace of development taking place in Dubai makes it one of the most ultra-modern cities in the world. The city skyline is now dominated by futuristic skyscrapers such as the Emirates Towers and Burj Al-Arab, the world's tallest hotel. The Mall of the Emirates is the largest shopping center outside of North America and features one of the world's only indoor ski slopes. And Dubai also features one of the few fully lit 18 hole golf courses in the world.

Many other exciting developments are also under construction in Dubai. To name just a few:

- Dubai Mall - projected to be the largest indoor mall in the world when completed.

- Burj Dubai - when completed in 2008 will be the tallest skyscraper in the world.

- Dubai World Central including the Dubai World Central International Airport will be the world's largest passenger and cargo hub - ten times larger than the current Dubai International Airport and Dubai Cargo Village combined.

- The Dubai Waterfront project will be the largest waterfront and largest man-made development in the world. It will be a series of canals and artificial islands housing a number of commercial, residential, and resort zones.

Center for Shopping Tourism

The attraction that brings the most tourists to Dubai is the shopping. Market places and malls throughout the city stock an incredible array of consumer goods and draw millions of shopping tourists every year. Shoppers come from all parts of the Middle East and Europe, and even from as far away as Eastern Europe, India, and North America.

The souks of Dubai offer the most interesting shopping experience in the city. They are located on either side of Dubai creek that runs through the heart of the area. Two of the most popular are the Spice Souk and the Gold Souk. When you visit the souks be prepared to bargaining in traditional middle eastern style. It is an important part of buying and selling in the souks.

In recent years the traditional type of shopping has met with stiff competition from more western style stores. Fantastic shopping malls and upscale boutiques are now everywhere throughout the city and carry virtually any consumer item you can imagine: clothing, housewares, luxury items, cars, furnishings, jewellery, electronics, sporting equipment. You name it and you will probably find it in the boutiques and malls of Dubai.

The Duty Free complex located at the Dubai International Airport is another mecca for shoppers. Items are brought in from many different parts of the world and can often be purchased for less in Dubai than anywhere else in the Middle East - and often for less than in their country of origin. The Duty Free Complex is one of the largest in the world, but new projects such as the Dubai World Central International Airport will have even more massive duty free areas.

These and many more attractions make Dubai a favorite destination of tourists and business travelers from around the world. Future developments promise to make Dubai even more important as a world class business hub and a haven for tourists in search of a unique and exciting adventure.