Tourism in Dubai

[11] Along with COVID-19 Dubai’s tourism sector has also been hurt by a greater international awareness of the status of human rights in the emirate and in particular the treatment of Princess Latifa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum.

[12] In November 2022, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid announced a national tourism strategy until 2031.

[15] Mastercard's Global Destination Cities Index 2019 found that tourists spend more in Dubai than in any other country.

Prior to the Expo 2020 hotels in Dubai were reducing room rates to stimulate demand as supply accelerated.

Based on data of August 2019, Dubai hoteliers reported a 7.6% rise in supply against 7.4% increase in demand.

[30] In July 2019, Dubai's Jumeirah Group LLC fired 500 people due to a decline in tourism.

The buildings lining the Bur Dubai side of the Creek provide the main flavor of the old city.

The Diving Village forms part of an ambitious plan to turn the entire "Shindagha" area into a cultural city, recreating life in Dubai as it was in days gone by.

Other attractions include the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House; the Dubai Museum in the restored Al Fahidi Fort, which was erected around 1799; and the Heritage Village of Hatta, situated 115 kilometers southeast of Dubai City in the heart of the rocky Hatta Mountains.

Great care was taken to use the same materials as those used when originally built during the renovation such as mud, hay, sandalwood and palm fronds.

"[33][34] The city draws large numbers of shopping tourists from countries within the region and from as far as Eastern Europe, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent.

Traditionally, dhows from the Far East, China, Sri Lanka, and India would discharge their cargo and the goods would be bargained over in the souks adjacent to the docks.

Outside of Duty Free areas and major sales, Dubai has a reputation for being one of the most expensive shopping destinations in the world.

However, there is a vibrant underground gay scene in Dubai and authorities do not actively search for homosexuals to enforce the law.

Cruises to Dubai sail from: Singapore, Sydney, Athens, Dover, Venice, Cape Town, Civitavecchia, Piraeus, Alexandria, Istanbul, New York City, Southampton, Barcelona, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Los Angeles, Mumbai, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Monte Carlo, Mombasa, Victoria, and Cairns among others.

[46][better source needed] The United Arab Emirates has a network of roads that connect major towns and villages, including a multi-lane highway between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with access to and from the bordering countries of Saudi Arabia and Oman.

[48][better source needed] Travelers entering Dubai are warned for harsh penalities regarding illicit drug use or smuggling.

Authorities in Dubai use highly sensitive equipment to conduct thorough searches to find trace amount of illegal substances.