Duba1 in Numbers
From a small fishing village of just 800 people in 1820, Dubai’s 200-year development has been stratospheric compared to most nations. It leads the world in many indices and lays claim to a bouquet of “firsts”. It plays host to the world’s busiest airport for global traffic, for example, and of the 100 shopping centres it boasts, one of them just happens to be the largest mall on earth, Dubai Mall. Add to that the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, and what has been called “the world’s only seven-star hotel”, Burj Al Arab – an accolade bestowed by guests and visitors, and not proclaimed by the hotel itself.
It’s important to clarify Dubai’s grandiosity is not for everyone. But if you’re a follower of luxury, fashion or unapologetic opulence, you’ll love it. Arguably only Las Vegas can be more “OTT” for such a comparatively small landmass, although those that live in Dubai say there is no comparison – due to the novelty of the attractions, the Middle Eastern dimension, and the region’s commitment to growth.
Already a significant merchant hub nestled between the continents, the discovery of oil in 1966 predicted the course of Dubai’s ambitious plans. However, despite what many think, oil now only accounts for a small part of their revenue. The total revenue is now made up of trade, tourism, retail, real estate, financial services, and aviation.
According to Mastercard’s Global Destination Cities Index 2019, it is the seventh most-visited city across the globe, based on the number of international visitors, and also happens to be the fastest-growing, increasing by 10.7%, with the potential to reach 20 million tourists by 2020. In 2018, it topped the tourism big spenders’ list for the fourth year in a row, with a total spend of over $30 billion – an average per day of $553 for each tourist.
It’s not difficult to contextualise these numbers. As an example, Dubai Mall offers a personal shopper for AED 2950 (approximately R12,000), a three-hour concierge down Fashion Avenue. Or, if you’re unable to make it to London, you can try Harvey Nichols in the Mall of The Emirates. You can ask your hotel for access to high fashion stores like Halston Heritage, Kooples, Symphony or even request a chauffeur service to collect you to browse Boutique1.
For a more traditional retail experience, you can steep yourself in some local history. Originally, given its location, dhows from East Asia, China, Sri Lanka and India would deliver textiles and spices to be bargained over in the souks (traditional markets) near the docks. Visit Dubai Creek for the perfume and spice, or the gold souk – which is seen as
the largest gold bazaar in Arabia, and housing more than 250 gold retail shops.
There’s a caveat, though. Dubai’s winter, especially late November to early February, is the best time to go. In our South African winter, when many choose to spend their travel savings, Dubai temperatures can reach the higher 40s, limiting visitors to remaining indoors in the cool oasis of air conditioning.
The end and beginning of the year offer the two best opportunities to visit Dubai for tourism or business. There is the 25th Dubai Shopping Festival (DFS) from 26 December 2019 to 1 February 2020, or the Dubai Expo 2020 from 20 October 2020 to 10 April 2021, lasting 173 days. Across a staggering 438-ha area, part of the new Dubai Trade Centre Jebel Ali urban development, 192 country pavilions and 200 restaurants will feature narratives from every part of the globe, supported by 60 daily shows.
For South Africans, Dubai offers something of huge value to families, and that is accessibility and security. Direct flights on Emirates or Ethiopian Airways from both Cape Town and Johannesburg make a difference for parents who can’t handle the European long haul with kids. On arrival, there is architecture, luxury, entertainment and shopping for parents, and for children there is the Aquaventure Waterpark and Dolphin Bay, aquariums, Legoland Dubai, Kidzania, City Walk, Dubai Ice Rink and Ski Dubai, IMG Worlds of Adventure, Motiongate, firework displays, Kite Beach and, yes, the desert in all of its glory.
If at this point of the article the numbers may seem a little overwhelming, that’s because they are. To unwind and recharge, you will most definitely need a restorative base that can play host to some of these top attractions, and with family, there is no better choice than Atlantis, The Palm. With more than 20 restaurants, the Aquaventure Waterpark, the 65,000 marine animals in the Lost Chambers Aquarium, and the dreamlike underwater restaurant, Ossiano, the resort offers multiple once-in-a-lifetime moments, irrespective of your age.
This cascading list of extraordinary highlights, supported by the numbers, justifies a quote I found online from writer Mina Menon, “Dubai is about castles in the air, a childlike belief in fairytale living where everything is perfect because nobody counts the cost, and you can wear your tiara every day.”