9VSPO From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 1231 times:
Dubai is probably the most sought after destination on the planet for new property but why? The amount of building work going on there is unreal! Why are so many people attracted to this new oasis?
DesertJets From United States of America, joined Feb 2000, 7680 posts, RR: 18 Reply 1, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 1219 times:
Looks like Las Vegas with a nice beach.
Stop drop and roll will not save you in hell. --- seen on a church marque in rural Virginia
BHXFAOTIPYYC From Portugal, joined Jun 2005, 1644 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 1202 times:
Well it was my first time in DXB back in January. Having spent several years in Libya I told my girlfriend what to expect. Wrong. DXB is more like Florida than the Arab countries I knew. I couldn't even practice my bad Arabic because I didn't meet any Arabs -only Filipinos, Indians ans Pakistanis who were doing all the work. The place is super new - there is nearly nothing over 30 years old there - if you want history / Arab culture - go to Oman. BUT, it's clean, tidy, and SAFE - you can leave your walet on the front seat of your car with the doors unlocked, and it will still be there when you get back. It's high quality tourism; ok it's pretty fake, but it's just far enough away and just expensive enough that it won't become Costa Del Sol part 2. It's safe also in terms of foreigners being welcome, and at no time did I ever get the hint of being worried about terrorists. They are a Muslim country, so you get tourists from Saudi, Kuwait, Iran etc as well as Westerners. It's relaxed and don't worry it's not a "dry" country! Weather wise it's great - lovely to have my feet in the crystal clear blue waters of the Arabian Gulf in January, although you'd want to avoid it from about June thru September - too damn hot. As Dubai only gets about 10% of it's revenue from oil, it has learned the tourist trade well. To me Dubai is a shining example of what an Arab and Muslim country CAN be like. The rest of the region could learn a lot from Dubai. We also had a great time doing the usual tourist things like a desert safari, and I quite enjoyed paying the equivalent of £7 to fill up the tank of our rented Toyota Corrolla. For me to Dubai.
Breakfast in BHX, lunch in FAO, dinner in TIP, baggage in YYC.
BHXFAOTIPYYC From Portugal, joined Jun 2005, 1644 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 1164 times:
You mean Palm Island perhaps? Unfortunately I believe that the wrong combo of foundation materials was used and that the weight of anything over 2 stories makes the property sink. I understand that they are working to resolve it fast. I drove down to have a look at the construction site, and that was the idle gossip, so sorry, no sources for that.
Breakfast in BHX, lunch in FAO, dinner in TIP, baggage in YYC.
Doona From Sweden, joined Feb 2005, 3716 posts, RR: 14 Reply 7, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 1160 times:
Quoting BHXFAOTIPYYC (Reply 6): You mean Palm Island perhaps? Unfortunately I believe that the wrong combo of foundation materials was used and that the weight of anything over 2 stories makes the property sink. I understand that they are working to resolve it fast. I drove down to have a look at the construction site, and that was the idle gossip, so sorry, no sources for that.
That could be it, but as I remember it, they were planning on building lots of islands... However, this was a couple of years ago...
Cheers
Mats
Sure, we're concerned for our lives. Just not as concerned as saving 9 bucks on a roundtrip to Ft. Myers.
Jaysit From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 8, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 1131 times:
Its a glitzy gilt and marble airconditioned mall loved by all humans who lack taste, and whose charms appear to have no racial, ethnic, or national boundaries.
Tasteless Indians, Arabs and Chavis (those Chavis who can afford something other than Orlando on Britannia Airways or the Costa del sol on Ryan Air or the equivalent thereof) all love Dubai. Also adored by the nouveau riche from Eastern Europe where they can show off their ill-gotten wealth to the ooohs and aaaaahs of tasteless Indians, Arabs and Chavis (although using the terms tasteless and Chavi together is being redundant).
Basically Dubai is a hooker with implants wearing lots of expensive diamond jewelry.
Aa757first From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 3338 posts, RR: 8 Reply 11, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 2 days ago) and read 1105 times:
Quoting 9VSPO (Thread starter): Dubai is probably the most sought after destination on the planet for new property but why? The amount of building work going on there is unreal! Why are so many people attracted to this new oasis?
From what I see, you just need someone to build a few nice hotels and a couple of restaurants to get the ball rolling on tourism. Las Vegas is a city in the middle of the desert. Orlando was a giant swamp. If it weren't for the casinos and Disney World, respectively, the only inhabitants of Las Vegas would be a few trailers and Disney World would be home to a few alligators.
Dubai is smart though. I think they said in about a decade all of their oil (which is/was a huge part of their economy) was going to be gone. They diversified and now they will be OK without oil.
B744F From Germany, joined Jan 2006, 0 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 2 days ago) and read 1076 times:
Quoting Aa757first (Reply 11): They diversified and now they will be OK without oil.
You can't support a country based off tourism unless you have a small population, not a vast metropolis filled with expensive buildings and imported cheap labor
USAFHummer From United States of America, joined May 2000, 10685 posts, RR: 54 Reply 14, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 2 days ago) and read 1071 times:
Quoting Mirrodie (Reply 12): been wondering the same. but a killer trip from the usa, no?
You've got that nice convenient EK A345 flight JFK-DXB there for the taking
Greg
Chief A.net college football stadium self-pic guru
Sabena332 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 15, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 2 days ago) and read 1067 times:
Quoting Mirrodie (Reply 12): but a killer trip from the usa, no?
Mario, I met more Americans and Canadians than Germans in Dubai, actually I was wondering about that. But then, it is not hard to reach from the USA or Canada, you only have to take an early evening depature in the USA to arrive at CDG/LHR/FRA/AMS on the other morning to get a connecting flight to DXB in the next 2 or so hours. The schedule matches pretty good compared to... let's say...USA-South Africa flights via Europe.
Patrick
Edit:
Greg is right, I completely forgot the nonstop flight by Emirates!
Even more comfortable to get nonstop to the UAE from the USA.
Leezyjet From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2001, 4041 posts, RR: 55 Reply 16, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 2 days ago) and read 1061 times:
Quoting Jaysit (Reply 8): Its a glitzy gilt and marble airconditioned mall loved by all humans who lack taste, and whose charms appear to have no racial, ethnic, or national boundaries.
Tasteless Indians, Arabs and Chavis (those Chavis who can afford something other than Orlando on Britannia Airways or the Costa del sol on Ryan Air or the equivalent thereof) all love Dubai. Also adored by the nouveau riche from Eastern Europe where they can show off their ill-gotten wealth to the ooohs and aaaaahs of tasteless Indians, Arabs and Chavis (although using the terms tasteless and Chavi together is being redundant).
Basically Dubai is a hooker with implants wearing lots of expensive diamond jewelry.
Thought this was about Dubai not Vegas
Oh and what is a Chavi ? Do you mean a Chav (no i on the end) ?.
"She Rolls, 45 knots, 90, 135, nose comes up to 20 degrees, she's airborne - She flies, Concorde Flies"
BHMNONREV From Australia, joined Aug 2003, 1287 posts, RR: 4 Reply 18, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 2 days ago) and read 1052 times:
All kidding aside, Dubai is an excellent vacation spot for adults, with inexpensive accomodations and fantastic nightlife. Plenty to see and do while in the Emirate, with outstanding golf courses and excellent beaches. There are bargains galore to be had if you like gold and jewelry, and as someone mentioned earlier the duty-free is dirt cheap. Ten bucks for a carton of Marlboros or bottle of Absolut. There is a duty-free shop in the arrivals lounge so pick up your booze before you leave the airport, because the bars can be a little expensive on drinks.
If you only manage to transit Dubai, Emirates passengers with connections of over eight hours are provided a hotel room and transportation, free of charge at the Millenium Hotel (be sure you arrange this before you depart your home country).
And for the single guy, try the Cyclone. You won't leave disappointed....
Flylondon From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2004, 376 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 1000 times:
Quoting BHXFAOTIPYYC (Reply 4): To me Dubai is a shining example of what an Arab and Muslim country CAN be like. The rest of the region could learn a lot from Dubai.
The exploitation of migrant workers and subsidisation of key industries at the expense of fair competition? Sure, sounds like a wonderful blueprint for development!
Quoting Jaysit (Reply 8): Tasteless Indians, Arabs and Chavis (those Chavis who can afford something other than Orlando on Britannia Airways or the Costa del sol on Ryan Air or the equivalent thereof) all love Dubai. Also adored by the nouveau riche from Eastern Europe where they can show off their ill-gotten wealth to the ooohs and aaaaahs of tasteless Indians, Arabs and Chavis (although using the terms tasteless and Chavi together is being redundant).
UTA_flyinghigh From Tunisia, joined Oct 2001, 6495 posts, RR: 52 Reply 20, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 995 times:
Just been there two weeks ago.
As it has been said, little jetlag, great temperatures during the winter and affordable prices.
Add to that you are not pestered and harassed by people selling stuff (or by people tout court) like in the Maghreb countries and it becomes a very attractive destination and a worthwhile alternative to other destinations.
Quoting BHXFAOTIPYYC (Reply 4): It's relaxed and don't worry it's not a "dry" country!
You however cannot drink in public thoug, so ho hanging out on the beach with a beer !
UTA
Fly to live, live to fly - Air France/KLM Flying Blue Platinum, BMI Diamond Club Gold, Emirates Skywards
Scbriml From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2003, 11447 posts, RR: 50 Reply 21, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 961 times:
Quoting B744F (Reply 13): You can't support a country based off tourism unless you have a small population, not a vast metropolis filled with expensive buildings and imported cheap labor
Indeed, and this isn't what Dubai is doing. Yes, tourism is important, but they are also moving rapidly up the leagues in banking and free-trade zones.
B744F From Germany, joined Jan 2006, 0 posts, RR: 0 Reply 23, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 891 times:
Quoting Scbriml (Reply 21):
Dubai isn't just about (slightly) tacky tourism.
But their entire wealth relies upon oil and tourism, without both, there would be no investment opportunities or faux rich people pretending like they are important in a fake city even worse than Vegas
Quoting Flylondon (Reply 19): The exploitation of migrant workers and subsidisation of key industries at the expense of fair competition? Sure, sounds like a wonderful blueprint for development!
Welcome to the entire world, they're just trying to fit in with the big guys!
Emirates773ER From Pakistan, joined Jun 2005, 1448 posts, RR: 10 Reply 24, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 856 times:
Quoting Flylondon (Reply 19): The exploitation of migrant workers and subsidisation of key industries at the expense of fair competition? Sure, sounds like a wonderful blueprint for development!
I second that, migrant workers especially in construction industry are treated like slaves with some having salaries of about $200 per month. It is only now that the Dubai government is doing something to protect the low paid labour and passing laws to encounter inflation. Most of their young local population is only interested in big fancy cars and highly paid jobs with low working hours. If they want to be like New York or Hong Kong in the future they need to make their young generation work hard not to go about in a Mercedes S55 AMG flashing their lights on anyone under the speed limit.
Quoting B744F (Reply 23): Welcome to the entire world, they're just trying to fit in with the big guys!
It would really be interesting to know how many cities like dubai have their labour paid less than $200 a month?
The Truth is Out There ---- Face It!!!!!
25 KiwiinOz: THere's potential to make a boatload of money there.....
26 B744F: Just look to anywhere in Asia, South America, Africa, you get the picture
27 Emirates773ER: I meant cities comparable to dubai.
28 BHXFAOTIPYYC: True, but I meant within driving distance / close by. If we're talking about history in general, I would also say that Libya has some amazing ruins -
29 Emirates773ER: What do you mean by that? Dubai is an emirate but my name is related to the airline emirates b/c we are on an aviation site remember? And please the
30 Mirrodie: what , is Dubai like many Mid East countries, against showing skin of women in public? I mean, if its affordable, thats great... more affordable than
31 BHXFAOTIPYYC: Because Emirates represents Dubai. It is the flag carrier of the Dubai Emirate (not the UAE - technically that is Etihad). Emirates Airline is comple
32 AndrewUber: LMAO - Ever been to Dubai? I lived there for a couple years, and let me tell you something about the "warm weather" - it's not warm, it's bloody HOT.
33 Sabena332: Twice, but only in October/November and December. You're correct, it is simply too hot there in the summer months. Patrick
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