Dubai Government is putting all its efforts to make Dubai an elite leisure destination, although various facilities that are required to call this a leisure destination is not adequate at present. First problem Dubai has is the weather, 7 months from October to April are good and May to September is too hot. Cost of living is very high compared to other leisure destinations in Asia. The prices of hotels are soaring and in the long-run, Dubai may face problem in terms of sustaining due to the competition from other destinations of Asia. However, Dubai is a market driven economy and correction will automatically take place in due course. Mode of transportation is mainly taxi and is very expensive. Not many places are there to see in Dubai other than beaches, desert safari and night clubs at present. Dubai is yet to create an attraction for tourists to consider it as a leisure destination. Dubai may be a suitable place for people who choose to be in the beaches and relax during October to April.

Let us look at the positive side of leisure market for Dubai. At present mainly people come here to see the beautiful city. Second attraction is the shopping, one of the best in the world. Dubai Shopping Festival is one of its kind and attracts tourists from all parts of the world. Amongst Gulf Co-operation Countries (GCC), Dubai is the best destination for the people living in GCC for leisure due to the language, culture and nearness to the destination that has all facilities which are not available in their country. GCC itself is a big market for Dubai especially during summer season.

Moving forward to make Dubai a destination for leisure, the government has taken lot of steps, such as Dubai Land Project that consists of various theme parks and Disney Land. Disney Land in Dubai is going to be twice the size of Disney Land, Orlando. Proposed projects consist of theme parks such as Ice Skiing, Rain Forest, Jurassic park and various other activities of entertainment. Bawadi Hospitality has gone in for a new venture to make an entertainment place similar to Las Vegas of the United States. Soon, Dubai will be converted to an entertainment hub for the entire middle-east.

Dubai had its culture and heritage. The Government is trying to re-establish its cultural values and heritage and blend with the modernization. All the old monuments and museums are protected by the Government and tourists are made aware of the desert life that existed in the past. Some of the examples are Dubai Creek, Heritage village, Dubai Museum etc. People of Dubai very much blend with modernization and other cultures of the world that makes Dubai an attractive place for tourists. Desert Safari, Belly Dance, Camel Ride are attraction for tourists. Night Cruise in the Dubai Creek to spend your evening with your family or a girl friend is yet another nice thing Dubai offers for tourists. There are various places in and around Dubai such as Fujairah, Al Ain, Abudhabi etc. they are worth the visit for the tourists.

Whatever said and done, Dubai has the charm for the people living in Dubai and for the tourists. Government is putting its efforts in facilitating people across the globe to come in to Dubai and feel the hospitality that Dubai can offer. All the best hotels chains of the world are in Dubai at present. Many hotel chains are expanding their operation in the Dubai due to the growing demand. Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) that promotes Dubai are making all its efforts in promoting Dubai as a destination for leisure. DTCM conducts road shows every year in various countries inviting people to Dubai. With the completion of Dubai land project, Dubai is expected to attract over 10 million tourists every year from Hong Kong in the east to Paris in the west. To meet the transport requirement of the growing population, mono rail project has been initiated and is expected to complete by 2010. Dubai will have its second airport in Jabel Ali by the year 2008 to take the load of the growing tourists.

Let us look at the business side of Dubai. Today construction industry is flourishing in Dubai. To create the infrastructure, be it for tourism or for business or for living, Dubai needs men and material. Considering the fact that massive on-going construction projects such as Burj Dubai, International City, Dubai Marina, Dubai Land, Dubai Palm etc. the demand for men and materials have increased substantially. Movement of people coming in to Dubai for business purposes have automatically increased due to these developments. All the related and incidental businesses have also increased substantially. There is a huge floating population who mainly come for business purpose in Dubai. To house the growing population many new hotels chains have started business in Dubai, some of the existing ones have increased its capacity by expanding its operations. These mega projects are expected to be completed only by the year 2010-2012. Hence, it is for sure Dubai will remain a destination for business for next 5 to 10 years.

Dubai is now recognized as a place for investment. The government is liberal for the expatriate investment compared to any other city in the middle-east and hence the flow of capital in to Dubai is increasing continuously. Historically, Dubai has been one of the best places for expatriate investment. The government facilitates businessmen across the globe to make investment in Dubai for various projects. Also the Government has projected Dubai as a place for massive marketing in the Middle-east. Being the Trading Hub in the Middle-east, Dubai offers fantastic facilities for businessmen to conduct business meetings, seminars, exhibitions and conventions. The famous exhibitions to name a few are GITEX, Air-show, ATM, Hotel Show and Index. People come from many parts of the world to participate in these exhibitions. These exhibitions are spread over the entire year. This is yet another reason for business traveler to come in to Dubai.

Dubai known to be the trading hub of Middle East has surpassed many of the good cities in the world in terms of its development. Be it any industry airlines, hotels, hospitals, electronics or construction all industries are flourishing in Dubai. With the establishment of Dubai International Financial City (DIFC) in Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai has become the financial hub for the middle-east. Stock market and money market activities are increasing and soon Dubai stock exchange will be recognized for the middle-east. Other industries such as information technology, Education and Sports have taken Dubai to be not only a tourist or a business destination but also to be a living destination for people from many parts of the world.

Today, Dubai has become a place for living. The facilities provided by the Government are well suited for expatriate families to live in Dubai. Dubai has all facilities for children such as schools, universities, parks, picnic spots, amusement parks, entertainment etc. Due to various developmental activities the number expatriates living in Dubai have increased and so the housing for these people. The expatriate community in Dubai itself has become niche market for the newly constructed apartments. Lots of apartments are being constructed for sale to expatriates. Banks are offering attractive loans to expatriates to buy these apartments. With the government liberalizing the rules for buying apartments, the expatriate community is moving forward to buy rather rent a housing property. Those who buy apartments are also eligible to get visa for their families to stay in Dubai as long as they hold the property in their name.

Dubai, no doubt a destination for leisure and business but it is also a good place to live. Living in Dubai is prestigious. Dubai as a destination, offers its people and tourists variety of choice in all aspects of living and lifestyles. The Government has given the people of Dubai and tourists who visits Dubai a congenial environment to do business or for leisure or for living. What do you think you would want to do in Dubai – business or Leisure or Living? – Choice is yours!