Dubai – Tourist Essentials

Who would imagine a desert at one time is today a land with some of the most world renowned architecture on it. The real esate projects by some of the best developers have made artificial islands surrounded by water, The Palm and The World are some of examples we can quote here. Dubai today owns world class hotels, spectacular beaches and is one of the most secured cities in the world. Out of the seven emirates in United Arab Emirates Dubai is the second largest and is one of the most significant city of this 21st century. This is tucked away between Europe and Asia, situated along the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula.

Dubai not only imbibes its culture deeply, but is also a perfect business hub in this region. It encourages huge international investment with the growing real estate sector. Outstanding infrastructure and the opulent lifestyle here redefines 21st century living. This holiday paradise in a boon to the shoppers with it’s excellent shopping opportunities offered by the extravagant malls. Dubai combines its traditional Arabian hospitality with contemporary surroundings offered, which makes it an ideal tourist destination. Here are a few highlights on the features a Dubai tourist may want to go through before visiting this spectacular destination.

1. Visa Requirements: While travelling to Dubai a copy of passport is submitted with the travel agent or the hotel so that they can apply for a visa your behalf. The AGCC nationals (Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait) just need a visa sponsored by a local entity which could be a travel agent or a hotel. The visa available are two types, one is valid for 30 days, which is renewable and the other for 14 days. United States and German nations can acquire visa from the UAE embassies in their own country. However, AGCC and UK nationals may be eligible, automatically for 30 days visa on arrival. If you are planning to reside in Dubai then you need to obtain the 30 day visit visa and then finally the employer would give you a permanent visa. Since Dubai experiences huge amount of expatriate’s inflow, acquiring a visa process is more streamlined and requires less paper work.

2. Culture and Lifestyle: Visitors in Dubai are ensured to get charmed by their warm hospitality and courtesy. Dubai has deep rooted Islamic religion, however the society present here has high degree of tolerance for diverse culture. With people coming in from all over the world, Dubai gives the freedom of practising their own religion. The dress code is though liberal and alcohol is only served in hotels. The local citizens still dress in their traditional robe and headdress. Traditional sports such as camel racing, falconry and dhow racing in sea is still popularly followed and participated. There are several mosques throughout the city also, there are Roman Catholic Churches as well as inter denominational churches. The official language is Arabic, though English is popularly used and spoken. Ramadan is one of the most popular festival in Dubai. In this month Muslims refrain from eating and drinks from dusk to dawn and it is expected other people to avoid the same, as a sign of respect.

3. Dinning Experience: Dubai hosts several restaurants and hotels which serve huge variety of cuisine catering to the cosmopolitan crowd. Spectacular hotels in Dubai offer a wide range of international cuisine which starts from a cup of coffee to a five course meal. These hotels aim not only serve their own guests but also lure the local residents and tourists. The vibrant night life in Dubai is embedded with discos, pubs and nightclubs. The hotels in Dubai offer unrivalled service with which you would have a memorable experience. The restaurants, outside the hotels and club are not permitted to serve alcohol. However, they are well facilitated with immaculate surroundings and are air conditioned. Middle East and Gulf cuisine is a sample to be experienced in Dubai. Dates are exclusive speciality of an Arabian meal. There are also several juice bars available for visitors can savor the exotic experience. There are several international cuisines also served here which include, English, French, Italian, Greek, Spanish, Indian, Chinese, Japanese and several other.

4. Exotic Shopping: Within several attractions that Dubai has to offer its shopping opportunities play a vital role in attraction tourists from all over the world. The Dubai Shopping Festival is held annually, on a large scale where with shopping and several entertainment events are organised. With several outstanding malls Dubai has become the epitome of shopper’s paradise. These malls not only host popular retail outlets, but also own restaurants, movie halls, supermarkets, boutiques and fast food outlets. Dubai Mall is the largest mall in the world which has 1200 retail outlets. Also, there is Mall of Emirate, Deira City Centre and Ibn Butta and several more. The “tax free” law in Dubai attracts cheaper products available in retails as compared to several outlets available in any other company. Dubai’s Duty Free has also won several awards and is one of the largest operating duty free operations in the world.

Dubai today continuously strives to set high standard of facilities and services offered to the residents as well as tourists. This unique experience with stunning white beaches, blue sea and outstanding hotels is an ideal mix to spend your holiday at. Dubai offers it’s visitors sunshine through out the year with an exotic Arabian experience. The city does not only offer fine dining experience and luxuries shopping amenities but also offers an outstanding sports experience as well.

Jobs and Employment in Dubai

Dubai is fast becoming one of the largest employment hubs in the world. Propelled by a buoyant economy and booming sectors of tourism, real estate, retail and of course the oil industry the UAE and more specifically Dubai has attained a growth rate that has been phenomenal in the last decade. Dubai is easily among the fastest growing cities in the world and has become the epicentre for job opportunities and employment. The government is doing all it takes to make Dubai an attractive investment zone along with the other emirates which are fast catching up. Infrastructure, legal reforms, tax rebates and better laws are attracting hundreds of companies to the city who are setting up base here. Many companies in fact have their permanent headquarters in the desert city.

It is incredible that since 2002 the city has seen the establishment of about 30 companies every week. One of the primary reasons for this amazing growth of companies and employment generation in the Emirates as a whole is that the city is ‘Tax Free’. If an employee is living and working in an area he or she gets paid the entire wages and there is no tax deducted from the amount. In Dubai direct personal taxation is a crime and hence whatever you earn is completely yours.

The job opportunities in Dubai are range from media, IT, hospitality, tourism, construction, Dubai real estate, retail and many more. The hospitality sector in Dubai is particularly seeing a massive rise in employment opportunities as more and more hotels are coming up. The jobs in Dubai demand extreme competitiveness and creativity. If one needs to stick around at a relatively senior post one has to constantly come up with ideas to keep the ball rolling. With the rapid growth in the number of high rises the city is starting to look more like Tokyo and the industries like media, marketing and IT are trying best to keep pace with the infrastructural growth.

The phenomenon that is happening in the desert city owes a lot to its cultural flexibility. Dubai is where the rich and famous from around the world are thronging to. The big names in Hollywood, the industrial and business tycoons are all buying property here and it is no wonder that more and more business is flowing into the country. The cosmopolitan nature of the city makes it quite accommodating and as such more and more non residents are making it their second home. The pay in most of the sectors is quite handsome and one can easily earn some good money and then head back home. This is exactly what many of the construction workers and real estate and property consultants are doing. Pay and working conditions here are quite better and irrespective of the country of origin, colour, nationality or economic status, everyone gets a job here.

Another reason for the tremendous increase in employment opportunities is the strategic location of the Emirates. Being located in the gulf at a strategic location the port of Dubai serves as a resting point between the ships and carriers from the West to the East and vice versa. In such a scenario immense business opportunities arise and many companies find it easier if they have a base in the city for logistical and other support. Hence more and more companies are establishing here.

For a non resident a work permit is a must to be able to work in the city. Residency visa is also necessary. Most of the time employers take care of these hassles so that the employees don’t have to face the bureaucratic processes. But for visitors a temporary visa is issued with which one scout and look for a suitable job. Once you get the job the work permit can be easily acquired and does not take much time. One has to adjust to the cultural peculiarities of the place and of course the underlying Islamic sentiments. Working hours here are quite different but it is something that one gets used to. Almost all businesses shut down for a few hours in the evenings and Friday is the day when no meetings are held.

If you are planning to start your very own business in Dubai then you might have to go through a bit of hassles but overall the process is quite easy. The government provides several incentives to overseas businesses in the free trade zones. Currently the city has 15 free trade zones and 7 more are going to get started in some time now. Foreign businesses get preference here and they don’t have to pay corporate taxes and also do not require a shareholding structure. This is one of the major reasons as to why so many new and innovative businesses are coming up in the city and plentiful employment is being created.

Dubai real estate sector employs a huge number of people. It is an amazing fact that Dubai employs about 15% of the total construction cranes in the world this clearly gives a picture of the sheer size of the development that is going on there. Each mega project employs thousands of skilled workers and since a lot many projects go on simultaneously many workers tend to get work at two to three places at a time. However human rights activists have argued that the workers are not being provided safe working conditions. It is said that they have to work for hours on end for meagre amounts. Though no one has challenged this in court till now it is a fact that workers continue to flow into the city and they are doing so only because they are finding better opportunities here.

As a city Dubai is incredible. The living standards are quite high even for people from the bottom of the pyramid. There exists a fast paced social life that many of the expatriates enjoy. A majority of the population comprises of non residents who come here to work hard and send back money to their homes. Many of them are from the subcontinent and are doing a great job here.

IMPORTANT TIPS FOR DUBAI TRAVELLERS

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  Dubai is considered the Pearl of UAE. Over the past few years Dubai has gained immense popularity for its growing economy. This emirate has attracted several immigrants and travelers from all over the world due to its favorable political and economical conditions.
  
  Talking about traveling, travel tips are always a boon for people traveling for short or long durations to various parts of the world. Travel tips makes us aware about the place we are about to visit in advance. It becomes a lot easier for us to make proper arrangements before visiting the place. Dubai is a place which is understood to be dominated by people of Islamic traditions. Without a doubt most of the people residing in Dubai follow the Islamic customs and beliefs but the United Arab Emirates have declared itself as a neutral country since 1970 and has no disputes with any nation or country. Presently though it is located in the Middle East, UAE is one of the safest countries of the world with strict laws for one and all.
  
  
  
  GENERAL INFORMATION
  Before we get down to detailing the travel tips for Dubai, there is certain general information which everyone visiting Dubai should be aware of:-
  
  - For people who want to visit Dubai for a few days or weeks, the ideal time would be between November to March. The temperature during this time is pleasant (about 20C) which adds on to make your holiday a memorable experience.
  - Visitors should avoid the Ramadan period for their holidays. During this time Muslims generally fasts which starts from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. In between this time frame no one is allowed to consume food, drink or smoke in public.
  - Visitors cannot purchase liquor from local shops for personal consumption. Tourists need to visit bars or nightclubs for the same.
  - Dubai has turned out to be the safest place on earth due to its strict laws. Locals and tourists both have to strictly adhere to the laws in Dubai to avoid penalty or punishment.
  - Dubai is a shopper’s paradise, but one should always remember to make a budget and stick to it while on your vacation. One may get tempted over the gold options or the low cost electronic items, but remember that your holiday should not pain your pocket.
  - The usual shopping hours in Dubai are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and again from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., though now most of the shops in Dubai and Abu Dhabi remain open throughout the day.
  - Government offices are open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., though the private offices have different timing and work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The government offices are closed during weekends which start from Thursday mid-day to Saturday morning.
  - For tech- savvy people, most of the big hotels provide internet service and in case travellers are carrying their laptops with their modem and browsing software then they need to dial 500 5333 and get connected with internet service.
  - Drinking in public places is a punishable offence to the extent of prison sentence. There is absolutely zero tolerance in matters of alcohol and driving.
  - Import of any item from Isreal, whether it is reading material, any product or any other thing is strictly prohibited. Infact visitors who have previously traveled to Israel and have an Israeli visit-visa in their passport would not be permitted entry in the UAE.

TRAVELLING TIPS WHEN ACCOMPANIED WITH CHILDREN
Not only Dubai, the entire UAE has a family oriented culture and environment. Children are welcome and appreciated everywhere. Big hotels even have special kids menu to suit the requirements of kids. There are lot of parks and playing activities in and around the big hotels of Dubai. Though usually very small children do not dine out but in case they do they are welcomed anywhere. Baby sitters are available on request in big hotels of Dubai.

While visiting tourist places, children below the age of 12 generally qualify for discounts on entry tickets.

TRAVELLING TIPS FOR WOMEN TRAVELLERS
As already mentioned, the entire UAE is a safe country and so women travellers should not worry about their safety in Dubai. The laws in Dubai are much more liberal for women as compared to any other Gulf country; the women are allowed to work, drive etc. Single women traveling or women traveling alone are a not a common feature here so they may receive lot of unwanted attention here. It is best for women to stay in a 3 or 4 star hotel to enjoy even the luxury of the hotel’s private beaches.

With all these luxuries in hand the women tourists should however not forget that Dubai is basically a place which values traditions, so to avoid trouble they should behave and dress accordingly. Revealing clothes and extra fit jeans should be avoided at places away from the beach. The most comfortable attire to visit most of the places in Dubai would be a loose trouser and full sleeved cotton shirt.

While mixing with local groups the women travellers should wait for welcome gesture from the other end. Though a handshake is common courtesy gesture, but some religious Muslims may find that inapt, so wait till they extend their hand for a handshake.

TIPS FOR THE DISABLED TRAVELLERS
Dubai is well prepared to welcome the disabled travellers and to make them comfortable. Most of the five star hotels have special rooms for such travellers to make them feel comfortable. Public places, airports and even taxis have provisions to facilitate a disabled traveler along with its wheel chair too.

Since June, 2001 the airports have made special provisions at departures and arrival areas to cater to the needs of travellers requiring special attention.

With all the above mentioned tips and information in hand, it will definitely become much easier for you to plan a vacation or a trip to Dubai. It is definitely a must see for adventure lovers and for those who want to relax with family or alone .Dubai has exotic beaches, great shopping destinations and exciting nightlife to suit the taste of one and all. As Dubai is a tax free state one can have the pleasure of shop till drop over here. There are plenty of jobs here and people earn good money especially if they belong to US, UK or Australia.

Dubai – The Land of Adventure

Dubai today is one of the best cities for tourists with limitless sources of entertainment throughout the day and night. Dubai and the whole of UAE in fact is an amazing place to stay and visit. Spectacular landscapes, high rise buildings, posh villas, beautiful beaches – Dubai has it all. What we see of Dubai today is very different of what it was about ten years back. The massive progress the desert city has made is mainly due to the enormous profits of the UAE on high global crude prices, a booming real estate sector and a fast growing tourism and retail sector.

The tourism sector of Dubai has grown like anything in the recent past. Major shopping festivals, innumerable posh hotels, adventure sports, a huge retail market in every sphere and of course a lot of foreign investment has created a big commercial hub in Dubai. Dubai is fast becoming the second Las Vegas of the world in terms of the entertainment options that one can find here. Sports have also been encouraged in Dubai and the Emirates as a whole. Dubai sees many major sporting events hosted every year, and the other Emirates are fast catching up. For the thrill seeker Abu Dhabi got its first ever F1 circuit and is all geared up to host the grand prix in 2009. For the adventure seeker Dubai is a paradise. Dubai is known for the numerous and unique adventure sports that are organized here. Being close to the sea many adventurous water sports are also organized very well here. The adventure tours are some of the most enthralling here. Various sports like desert safaris, paragliding, parasailing, waterskiing, snorkelling, scuba diving and many more will provide you with the ultimate experience. Adventure sports have off late become one of the key drivers of the tourism industry of Dubai.

For people who were thinking that the city is only about air conditioned shopping malls, multinational companies, huge residential complexes, you need to think again. Helicopter safaris are a craze here. It is one of the most demanded adventures in Dubai and a number of private operators provide for these tours. It’s an amazing experience flying through and over the skyscrapers of the city, the magnificent Dubai property Burj Al Arab Hotel, the intriguing Dubai Creek and of course the sea in the form of the Arabian Gulf. The helicopter safaris are usually of duration of one hour or so and showcase some of the best tourist spots of the city. However the helicopter ride is only for the chosen few who are ready to shell out the huge sums that the operators charge.

For the budget traveller the cable car ride acts as a cheaper alternative. The aerial view of the major landmarks is just breathtaking and you will definitely enjoy taking a few pictures. Hatta Town offers a great trekking route. Located in the Hajar Mountain about an hour from Dubai this small town is a paradise for trekkers. The scenery is other worldly and the people of the village look mysterious. There are a number of resorts in the vicinity of the town providing spectacular views of the mountains and are good resting places.

Dubai Creek is another great spot for adventure. Cruises on the creek and water scooters, parasailing, scuba, snorkelling are all on offer here. The prices are also quite reasonable. The gulf waters on the Dubai – Abu Dhabi border are considerably shallow and a hub for water sports. Crossing to Abu Dhabi one can find numerous diving and sailing centres and schools. The Emirates Sailing School, the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club are some of the better known ones. These schools have professional expertise and also organize wreck and deep water dives. The beautiful reef at Corniche is teemed with fish and is a truly mesmerizing experience.

The desert is another place to be. Off road adventures under safe supervision in the sand are organized by many tour operators. The desert safaris are best enjoyed if one begins in the early part of afternoon and see the beautiful sunset amidst the sand. Overnight trips cost a little more and can range from 350 to 450 dirham. Spending more time in the desert makes sense as there are a number of things to do. Dune driving, a traditional Arabian barbeque dinner, camel riding, and staying in a Bedouin styled camp will just make your day.

A traditional Arabian sport horse riding is considered to be a royal sport in the Emirates. One can always get a taste of it in a number of places that organise equestrian events. A few of them being - the Jebel Ali Equestrian Centre, the Dubai Equestrian Centre and the Jebel Ali Hotel Riding Stables. One can go for thrilling rides through the desert which are organized on a regular basis.

Dubai is fast becoming a global village and with more and more foreign residents settling here the party seems to be getting bigger with time. Not only adventure sports but entertainment in all forms be it music, films, dance, sports are finding Dubai to be a great host and venue. Definitely the city will a lot more lavish and thrilling stuff to offer in the years to come.