One of the most exciting new destinations to emerge on the incentive travel market in recent years is the Arabian Gulf emirate of Dubai.
Although a relative newcomer to the incentive travel market, Dubai has already achieved considerable success. This is because it fits neatly into the incentive travel organisers’ ideal profile of somewhere new and different that combines exotic experiences and excitement with professional destination management services and top quality hotels.
Dubai’s key attraction is that it brings together the comforts of the western world with the adventure of Arabia.
One of the world’s leading inter-continental transit centres, Dubai is easily accessible. More than 135 airlines operate through the Dubai International Airport linking the emirate to 210 destinations worldwide with direct connections to the main cities worldwide. Dubai airport is modern and efficient; customs and immigration procedures are simple.
Dubai offers a wide choice of luxury modern accommodation in the city, on the beach or in the mountains. All of Dubai’s hotels are well equipped with modern facilities. They all offer excellent conference and meeting facilities, state-of-the-art telecommunications, fully equipped health clubs and facilities for a wide range of sports. Cuisine from around the world can be sampled at Dubai’s restaurants.
Unlike many newly emerging destinations, Dubai offers incentive travel organisers a choice of internationally experienced, professional destination management companies and inbound tour operators. They employ multi-lingual guides and well-qualified drivers and have modern air-conditioned coaches for airport transfers and excursion tours.
A variety of standard or tailor-made tours are available, lasting from one or two hours to several days. There are city tours (general, shopping, heritage etc.), excursions to the desert, through the wadis (dried up river beds), to the starkly beautiful Hajar mountains and to the sandy beaches of the East Coast on the waters of the Indian Ocean. There are helicopter, boat and dhow tours also on offer; special interest tours include fishing, golf, archaeology and bird watching.
The highlight of any holiday in Dubai is the adventure of tackling the Arabian desert. Safaris, dune and wadi driving are popular; and sand skiing from the high dunes is the latest desert sport. A moonlit Arabian barbecue in the desert, complete with traditional entertainment and belly dancer makes for many memories, while the high-speed and boisterous camel races must not be missed.
Those looking for a relaxed holiday will enjoy swimming and soaking in the sun by the poolside or on Dubai’s miles of clean, uncrowded sandy beaches.
The energetic visitor will discover a choice of superb watersports - sailing, fishing, windsurfing, water-skiing, scuba diving and snorkeling. On land, visitors can play golf on championship grass golf courses designed by famous architects and international golf stars.
For the sporting spectator, a full calendar of top class international events - golf, horse racing, rallying, powerboat racing, rugby and snooker - makes Dubai the sports capital of the Middle East.
One of the greatest attractions of Dubai is shopping. The city’s tax-free status means bargains galore. A choice of modern air-conditioned malls offer attractive prices on the widest possible range of international brand names in electronics, hi-fi, cameras, watches, textiles, perfumes, cosmetics and much more.
The ancient “souks” or markets offer a romantic setting for the purchase of spices, antiques, rugs, and silverware.
The city is also one of the world’s great gold trading centres and streets of shops sell a dazzling array of modern machine-crafted and exquisite hand-made ornaments to suit every taste.
Dubai’s award-winning duty free complex situated inside the arrivals and departure lounge of Dubai International Airport offers more bargains and more variety.
Dubai city and the surrounding desert also offer photographic opportunities galore - elegant mosques, sumptuous palaces, majestic camels, ancient windtowers, dusty villages and dramatic sunsets.
A modern city with timeless tradition, Dubai offers today’s traveler the incentive of a lifetime.