Dubai Hotels Direct - Information about Dubai - United Arab Emirates

-Dubai
-Abu Dhabi
-Sharjah
-Ajman
-Umm Al Quwain
-Ras Al Khaimah
-Fujairah

Dubai is the most advanced city out of the seven emirates and benefits from a fantastic location on the calm, blue waters of the southern Gulf. Dubai Creek, a natural cove from the Gulf separates the city into the north (Deira district) and the south (Bur Dubai).

The main districts in Dubai are:

-Bur Dubai
-Deira (centre)
-Deira (airport)
-Jumeirah beach

Bur Dubai has a number of aged buildings, conventional alleyways and neighbouring souks and markets. The Gold Souk and Spice Souk are located in Bur Dubai. Another less prominent district of interest is the Bastakiya district where you can find the traditional wind tower houses. On the Deira side of the creek life is more modern and sophisticated with a number of attractive gardens, new buildings, hotels and outstanding shopping facilities.

Dubai’s history dates back to the third century BC, when nomadic tribes tried to make a living in the scorched deserts. Dubai became an essential hub on the early trading route between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley. By the 19th century, a fishing village occupied by the Bani Yas tribe had dominated the root on the Shindagha peninsula, at the mouth of Dubai Creek. This tribe led by the Maktoum family, still presides over Dubai today.

Immense wealth flooded into Dubai in a short period of time. The city was able to draw in billions of dollars from the sale of oil. This money was invested into buildings and development of Dubai’s infrastructure. Today Dubai oil only accounts for 10% of the economy. The rest of the economy is supported by trade, service industries, finance and tourism.

Dubai’s growing successful tourist industry is largely due to the extensive variety of activities available from shopping to a wide range of specialized sporting facilities including golf and tennis. A number of luxury hotels have been built along the corridor of the Gulf which makes an incredible display of coastal hotels and resorts for the ever increasing number of tourists.
Moonlit bedouin barbeques, camel riding, desert safaris and sand skiing are just a short list of activities that can be arranged for tourists.

Dubai holds a number of high profile sporting and leisure events such as the world's richest horse race, the PGA Desert Classic Golf Tournament, the Dubai Shopping Festival and over 80 major trade exhibitions which attract both business and leisure travellers. There are four unparalleled golf courses and more are being designed and developed. Also under construction is the indoor ski slope with real snow scheduled to open at the end of 2006.

Tourism in Dubai is increasing year by year and is set to reach 15 million by 2010. This will help achieve Dubai’s target to diversify towards non-oil economic growth. In 2003, the hotels and restaurants growth accounted for about 5 per cent of Dubai non-oil gross domestic product (GDP). Tourism is contributing towards the growth of Dubai construction sector. The hotels and restaurants sector in Dubai are an attraction for tourists and in their development bring with them excellent roads, airports, apartments and man-made attractions.

The figures have shown that the total revenue of Dubai hotels has been increasing by an annual average rate of 21% between 2000 and 2004. Four and five star hotels revenue grew by about 25%. According to data, the total revenue of Dubai hotel apartments has also improved on average by about 14% per annum.