Dubai was sand and desert half a century ago. Today, this city is looking for superlatives. The tallest tower in the world, the Burj Khalifa, stretches across its sky, the largest ferris wheel spins around its marina, the most luxurious hotel in the world – and its seven stars – is located there, everything like the largest fountain in the world… In short, Dubai is the city of excess.
Its airport is the busiest in the world for international travel. It welcomed 20% more passengers in the third quarter of 2021, compared to the same period last year, a recently declared its general manager. In November, the United Arab Emirates became the fourth destination with the most bookings by French travel agencies, according to the Orchestra barometer for The tourist echo.
Dubai, city of superlatives
The French also come in fifth place in the Top 10 nationalities who come on vacation to Dubai, with 156,000 visitors recorded between January and September 2021 out of the total 3.85 million tourists, according to the Office of Dubai tourism. The first visitors landed from India (528,000) then from Russia (256,000), Saudi Arabia (191,000) and the United States (171,000).
However, even if Dubai is attracting more and more French people, global tourism is sluggish. Dubai is feeling it too. In 2019, the emirate received 13.5 million tourists, almost four times more than this year.
“It was hard before October, but it’s been going well for three months. We have around 70% more business ”, explains Abdull Wallis, seller of stoles and tunics in the tourist district of Old Dubai. “There are more new faces and different tourists since September with the World Expo”, observes Rahim Walizada, Afghan owner of a decoration store.
The old fishing village “Has become a family destination. There is something for everyone: walks in the desert, the beach, skiing, shopping ”, explains Krisztina Lecanuet, official guide of Dubai.
This emirate has no oil but has succeeded in its bet: to attract crowds. Due to its geographical location, between the West and Asia, Dubai is a “hub” for international travelers.
We go there, but we also stay there. On average eight days, according to the Orchestra barometer. In December, the temperature is around 25 ° C during the day. And this at 6:45 a.m. Much less than destinations so popular in winter such as Thailand or the West Indies.
Another asset, in addition to its beaches and luxurious swimming pools, Dubai attracts for its safety. “I never close my apartment. I don’t even know where my keys are ”, says a young student who has been living in Dubai for a year.
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