Tourism in the United Arab Emirates

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Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world and a major tourist attraction of the United Arab Emirates. Burj Khalifa.jpg
Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world and a major tourist attraction of the United Arab Emirates.
Jebel Jais, the highest mountain in the United Arab Emirates is part of Al Hajar Mountains. A view from the road up Jebel Jais, Ras Al Khaimah.jpg
Jebel Jais, the highest mountain in the United Arab Emirates is part of Al Hajar Mountains.
Rub al Khali desert on the outskirts of Liwa Oasis. Rub al Khali 002.JPG
Rub al Khali desert on the outskirts of Liwa Oasis.

Tourism in the United Arab Emirates is an important part of the Emirati economy, and consists of domestic and international components. In 2018, tourist industry composed over 2 dirham to country's GDP. [1] [2]

Contents

The tourist industry of the United Arab Emirates is the most unsuccessful among the Gulf nations, and have long enjoyed status as the least tourist nation of the GCC. [3] The country is also not the major tourist force in the Arab world. [4]

History

When the country was first formed in 1971 and freed from British control, the country itself did not have any sufficient tourist industry and the economic situation of the newly established nation was weak, despite massive oil wealth. Realizing the need to develop the country, and the awareness of oil limits, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who initiated the foundation of the UAE, envisioned the plan to diversify the country's economy, in which tourism was specifically regarded. [5] The envision was eventually carried out, and in 1979, Sheikh Zayed opened the country's first-ever hotel, the Metropolitan Hotel Dubai located in Dubai. [6]

The development of tourism in the United Arab Emirates was heavily linked to the development of tourism in Dubai, which was one of the earliest emirates in the country to open for tourists. Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai from 1958 till 1990, realised one day Dubai would run out of oil and started building an economy that would outlast it. [7] Sheikh Rashid, together with Sheikh Zayed, was the instrumental leaders of leading the country's tourism, having made a joint declaration for the founding of the Emirates. [8] In 1989 the Dubai Commerce and Tourism Promotion Board was established, to promote Dubai as a luxury destination for the up-tier market and influential business sectors. In January 1997, it was replaced with the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM). [9]

Since 2000s, the United Arab Emirates have experienced a significant tourist boom, and increasing life standard and quality made the expenditure on tourism to rise, thus making it more important to the national economy. [10] [11]

Tourist destinations

Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Mosque view.jpg
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates, and is the second most popular tourist destination in the country, under the management of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority. [12] This is also the center of Formula One race in the country, the Yas Marina Circuit. Nonetheless, the city is also famous for its landscapes, given its proximity to the Persian Gulf. There are over ten beaches functioning in the city serving for tourist purpose. [13] The city is popular for its nightlife, more so than the more populous Dubai as it has lesser restriction and regular laws. [14]

Dubai

Archipelagoes in Dubai. Artificial Archipelagos, Dubai, United Arab Emirates ISS022-E-024940 lrg.jpg
Archipelagoes in Dubai.

Dubai is the most visited city in the United Arab Emirates, the most expensive city in the GCC and one of the most expensive cities in the world. [15] It is also the home of the two tallest towers in the world, the Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa, the latter occupies the top position. Nightlife in the city is also widely promoted. [16] The city is often seen as a symbol of rapid tourist success in the nation. Its richness encompassed by the rapid development and the mix with the local Arab culture made it a popular destination for tourists to travel. However, lack of general tourism development remains an obstacle which the Emirati authorities have sought to tackle. [17]

Fujairah

Fujairah shares the Al-Hajar Mountains with Ras Al Khaimah, a major tourist attraction in the country. Outside the Hajar Mountains, the Fujairah Fort, Bitnah Fort, Snoopy Island, Masafi and Al-Hayl Castle are also another attractive destinations. [18] Fujairah holds a distinction for having a bull butting culture, a result of Portuguese colonization from 17th century. [19]

Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah is known for its natural landscape.[ citation needed ] The Al Hajar Mountains, in particular with mount Jebel Jais, the highest mountain of the country, offers views over craggy peaks down to the coastal plain, making this a common spot for photographers, particularly in the late afternoon when the orange-hued rocks glow.[ citation needed ] The world's longest zipline is also based in Ras Al Khaimah's Jebel Jais. Other include Dhayah Fort and its beach. [20]

Sharjah

Sharjah is a major commercial center of the UAE. Sharjah is perhaps, among the most traditional tourist center, due to initiative efforts by the emirate's leadership to keep its spirit within the growing modernization. In 1998, Sharjah was awarded the "Cultural Capital of the Arab World" title by UNESCO representing the United Arab Emirates. [21] Major destinations include the Sharjah Art Museum, Al Noor Mosque, Souk Al Markazi and Sharjah Heritage Area. [22] A cultural heritage project, Heart of Sharjah, has been undertaken to preserve and restore the old town of Sharjah and return it to its 1950s state. [23]

Tourism statistics

International visitors

YearTourist
Arrivals [24] [25]
2020To be announced
201921,000,000
201815,930,000
201720,700,000
201619,300,000
201517,000,000
201415,500,000
201314,000,000
201212,400,000
Country202020192018201720162015
Flag of India.svg  India 1,224,3492,855,0962,778,1602,511,9332,080,3801,881,489
Flag of Oman.svg  Oman 634,8792,814,1522,172,9101,928,2922,021,9581,716,930
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia 512,8751,897,4711,993,6461,876,3161,921,9161,662,435
Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan 418,973840,222819,683763,396767,724671,847
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 418,3851,367,9971,365,1601,452,4551,460,3281,394,118
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 335,016866,857800,253610,427304,295269,493
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 253,973827,837792,303767,048764,715726,957
Flag of Egypt.svg  Egypt 238,226357,084328,049297,658302,560301,952
Flag of the United States.svg  United States 208,800757,353747,691741,473735,147758,875
Flag of France.svg  France 188,476444,657403,945353,726337,847335,024
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 175,297998,278844,005766,972529,103445,109
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 106,088312,493291,944281,176286,806281,251
Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines 104,438378,423375,938379,754365,749322,297
Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait 98,576378,109399,795463,708492,360489,425
Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 79,630250,568172,476128,676145,725162,086
Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan 78,072164,219140,80193,96889,72385,625
Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine 73,819154,001123,22183,67077,39770,154
Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan 71,707165,852165,821173,465176,794176,971
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 66,003200,321189,915202,461214,492210,620
Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh 63,674158,108132,93131,35031,52939,179
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 63,371297,709305,320331,450353,390389,702
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 61,432170,484170,018169,829163,662171,496
Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq 58,278119,440103,93990,55482,95485,986
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 52,803139,312118,470116,395117,154113,574
Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain 52,385207,855206,723220,601235,598218,046
Flag of Iran.svg  Iran 51,822294,955317,968499,614492,100475,269
Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon 50,620124,672123,001129,575135,516147,201
Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia 44,07381,17960,30356,49954,73455,601
Flag of Poland.svg  Poland 40,691111,945106,888112,25480,64766,054
Flag of the Taliban.svg  Afghanistan 39,78475,72144,77734,18128,65951,984
Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 37,716160,427151,194160,106130,978103,219
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 36,61987,11078,87074,98373,77571,379
Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 36,085106,434113,888122,558119,435113,522
Flag of Romania.svg  Romania 35,11187,81678,86067,45361,30957,315
Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 34,655105,14185,82278,31254,36259,950
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland 34,111120,623121,675121,399108,782110,785
Flag of Sri Lanka.svg  Sri Lanka 33,539102,20090,45585,47484,01377,295
Flag of Syria.svg  Syria 31,97269,87649,97948,27060,21267,943
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 30,479118,638112,635103,88691,168100,262
Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey 29,93086,07787,32297,30297,46494,448
Flag of Nepal.svg    Nepal 28,58154,38660,83656,32247,58828,910
Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan 28,14150,51435,36333,98131,35131,413
Flag of Algeria.svg  Algeria 28,12097,69376,21158,39758,35646,767
Flag of Austria.svg  Austria 27,63078,75174,85772,77972,58779,293
Flag of Ireland.svg  Ireland 27,10588,67589,34194,22992,99187,268
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 26,987113,299107,61297,83483,66482,575
Flag of Uganda.svg  Uganda 24,74860,78049,27241,72135,05930,010
Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 24,60867,96967,56270,77770,25565,819
Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco 22,53766,52657,22950,81845,70840,170
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 20,47980,20780,25777,05564,61453,454

Medical tourism

This section is an excerpt from Medical tourism § United Arab Emirates.[ edit ]
United Arab Emirates, especially Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah is a popular destination for medical tourism. The Dubai Health authority has been spearheading medical tourism into UAE, especially Dubai. However, hospitals providing medical tourism are spread all over the seven emirates. UAE has the distinction of having the maximum number of JCI accredited hospitals (under various heads). [26] UAE has inbound medical tourism as well as people going out for medical treatment. The inbound tourism usually is from African countries like Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, etc. The outbound can be categorised into two segments - the local population (citizens of UAE) and the expats. The locals prefer to go to European destinations like the U.K., Germany etc. The expats prefer to go back to their home countries for treatment.

Concerns

Although the country has become an increasing tourist power, concerns of human rights' maltreatment and fakeness remain. Ahmed Mansoor, an Emirati human rights activist, has criticized the Emirati authorities for its unlimited tortures, abuse on dissidents and lack of certain support for migrant workers, and warned the situation is deteriorating. [27]

The ongoing exploitation and systematic discrimination of South Asians continue to take place under the kafala system has also met with criticism, notably with Dubai. [28] Some criticism also points against the “soulless” development of the cities in the country, notably Dubai. [29]

In 2020, Kate Hudson had participated in a video advertisement promoting tourism in the United Arab Emirates. Her action was met with criticism from human rights groups. [30]

See also

Related Research Articles

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