Dubai is a popular destination for a relaxing beach holiday, an
adventurous desert experience, wild nightlife or a weekend away
to shop in the electronics and gold markets.
Dubai has beautiful white beaches, clear blue sea, top class International
Hotels, many fine and varied restaurants, in fact Dubai has everything
that you could wish for to have a memorable holiday in safety.
Dubai
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Dubai
History
Originally a small
fishing settlement, Dubai was taken over around 1830 by a branch of
the Bani Yas tribe from the Liwa oasis led by the Maktoum family who
still rule the emirate today.
Traditional
activities included herding sheep and goats, cultivating dates,
fishing and pearling.
The liberal attitudes of the emirate's rulers
made Dubai attractive to traders from India and Persia who began
to settle in the growing town, which soon developed a strong reputation
as the leading entrepôt for the region
An independent emirate for most of its history,
in 1971 Dubai came together with Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm
Al Quwain, Fujairah and (in 1972) Ras Al Khaimah to create the federation
of the United Arab Emirates.
The discovery of oil in 1966 dramatically
transformed the emirate by allowing the development of the economic
and social infrastructure which laid the foundations for today's
modern society.
Much of the credit for this development can
be traced to the vision of the late Ruler, HH Sheikh Rashid bin
Saeed Al Maktoum, who ensured that Dubai's oil revenues were deployed
to maximum effect.
His work has been continued by the present
Ruler, HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum
The
second largest of the seven emirates which make up the United Arab
Emirates, Dubai is located on the southern shore of the Arabian Gulf.
It has an area of some 3,900 square kilometres.
Outside
the city itself, the emirate is sparsely inhabited and characterised
by desert vegetation. The landscape ranges from rugged mountains
to majestic sand dunes. These days, oil contributes just twenty
per cent of economic production. Trading, manufacturing and services
-- including tourism -- now dominate the economy.
The
UAE has a sub-tropical, arid climate. Rainfall is infrequent and irregular.
Falling mainly in winter, it amounts to some 13 centimetres a year.
Temperatures range from a low of about 10 degrees Celsius to a high
of 48 degrees Celsius. The mean daily maximum is 24 degrees in January
rising to 41 degrees in July.
All visitors except AGCC
nationals (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia) require
a visa sponsored by a local entity such as a hotel or tour company.
Whne travelling, please submit a copy of your passport to the local
Hotel or Travel Agent, who will apply for a visa on your behalf.
You must have a copy of your visa in your
possetion before boarding the aircraft to visit Dubai. The Hotel
or Agent should fax you a copy of you Visa. If you do not have the
original, the Actual Copy will await you at the Visa Counter at
the Dubai Airport. Show your passport, and you will be given a copy
of the Visa, whereupon you may pass through Passport Control.
There are two types: transit visas for 14
days and visit visas for 30 days (renewable). Airlines may require
confirmation that the sponsor is holding a valid visa for incoming
visitors.
British citizens with the right of abode
in the UK and expatriate residents of the AGCC of certain nationalities
and professions may qualify for automatic 30 day visit visas on
arrival, but current regulations should be checked before travelling.
German and US citizens may obtain visas from
the UAE Embassies in their respective countries.
Visas are easily obtainable for other visitors
except Israelis and travellers whose passports bear Israeli stamps.
No health certificates
are required for entry to Dubai, but it is always wise to check before
departure, as health restrictions may vary, depending upon the situation
at the time.
Duty-free
allowances: Cigarettes -- 2,000; cigars -- 400; tobacco -- 2kg;
alcohol (non-Muslim adults only) -- 2 litres of spirits and 2 litres
of wine; perfume -- a reasonable amount.
No customs duty is levied on personal effects
entering Dubai. Dubai Duty Free has a sales outlet in the Arrivals
Hall (but alcohol may only be purchased on departure).
Built
in the shape of an Arabian dhow sail and dominating
the Dubai coastline, this is one of the world's most
spectacular and incomparably luxurious hotels. The Burj
Al Arab offers unparalleled standards of comfort and
service in a unique and unforgettably lavish setting.
Consistently
voted as one of the world's finest business hotels, Emirates
Towers is perfectly set at the hub of Dubai's commercial
centre. As well as stunning architecture and beautifully
designed accommodation, the Emirates Towers Hotel offers
every possible facility and many leading innovations for
the business traveller.
An architectual
icon inspired by the Arabic seafaring tradition and designed
to resemble a breaking wave, The Jumeirah Beach Hotel
is a resort of incomparable excellence with sumptuous
accommodation and fabulous amenities. Its business and
conference facilities are of and equally award winning
standard.
The World
Trade Centre Hotel is perfectly located for business trips
to Dubai. Next door to the World Trade Centre itself and
the busy Dubai International Exhibition Halls and close
to the city's commercial and financial centre, it offers
convenience as well as comfort.
Cities of the United Arab Emirates
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