In just 30 years, the emirate has been positioned as a place to do business, a major hub on the international air routes, a must-see tourist destination, and a global meeting place.
Its formula for success is evident – visionary leadership, quality infrastructure, multi-cultural society, zero tax on personal and corporate income and low import duties.
The result is that Dubai has become a watchword for development. A hub that services a region stretching from Egypt through to India, and from the CIS countries in the north down to South Africa.
An environment that is clean, virtually crime-free and tolerant, and one where citizens, expatriates and visitors alike enjoy a relaxed lifestyle.
While Arabic is the national language, English is the second language for most residents and is widely spoken in shops, restaurants and hotels.
Freedom of worship is allowed for all religions and Dubai even boasts a Church City where many denominations maintain a presence. And tolerance extends to the consumption of alcohol which is permitted in the home, in hotels or on licensed club premises.
And – if visitors have any preconceptions about the region –note that women are unrestricted in their lifestyle, permitted to drive and move about freely, whether dressed in national dress or in Western garb.
However, the culture of Dubai is strongly rooted in Islamic traditions and the country’s rulers strive to maintain a balance between their heritage and a modern 21st century lifestyle – while promoting events representative of their roots include falconry, camel racing and dhow sailing.
Alongside these photogenic activities, Dubai also hosts a plethora of international events through the cooler winter months, including high profile sporting tournaments such as the Dubai Desert Classic (part of the Professional Golf Association tour); the Dubai Open tennis championships (an ATP event) and the Dubai World Cup (the richest horse race in the world)
