Tourism in the United Arab Emirates
Tourism in the United Arab Emirates is an important component of the Emirati economy, and consists of domestic and international components. In 2018, tourist industry composed over 164.7 billion dirham to country's GDP.[1][2]
The tourist industry of the United Arab Emirates is the most successful among the Gulf nations, and have long enjoyed status as the leading tourist nation of the GCC.[3] The country is also the major tourist force in the Arab world.[4] Tourism employed more than 604,300 people for the United Arab Emirates as for 2018.[5] It is expected to continue expanding, with the revenue increased 12,4% of the country's GDP in 2027, and will employ more 410,000 people to the industry.[6] Effort to Emiratize the industry has been ongoing, which is considered crucial for the development of the country's tourism.[7]
The country's major tourist attraction includes the famous Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the tallest tower in the world;[8] The World archipelago and Palm Jumeirah also in Dubai;[9] Sheikh Zayed Mosque and Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi; Al Hajar Mountains in Fujairah. The uniqueness of the country's natural desert life, especially with the Bedouins, also facilitates the country's tourist industry.[10]
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.[11] 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.[12]
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.[13] 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.[14] 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).[15]
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.[16][17]
Tourist destinations
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.[18] 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.[19] The city is popular for its nightlife, more so than the more populous Dubai as it has lesser restriction and regular laws.[20]
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.[21] 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.[22] 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.[23]
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.[24] Fujairah holds a distinction for having a bull butting culture, a result of Portuguese colonization from 17th century.[25]
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.[26]
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.[27] Major destinations include the Sharjah Art Museum, Al Noor Mosque, Souk Al Markazi and Sharjah Heritage Area.[28] 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.[29]
Tourism statistics
International visitors
| Year | Tourist Arrivals[30][31] |
|---|---|
| 2020 | To be announced |
| 2019 | 21,000,000 |
| 2018 | 15,930,000 |
| 2017 | 20,700,000 |
| 2016 | 19,300,000 |
| 2015 | 17,000,000 |
| 2014 | 15,500,000 |
| 2013 | 14,000,000 |
| 2012 | 12,400,000 |
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.[32]
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.[33] Some criticism also points against the “soulless” development of the cities in the country, notably Dubai.[34]
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.[35]
See also
References
- ^ "UAE tourism contributed AED 164.7 billion to country's GDP in 2018". HotelierME.
- ^ "United Arab Emirates Tourism Revenue [1995 - 2020] [Data & Charts]". www.ceicdata.com.
- ^ "Why the UAE is a leading tourism destination in the region". gulfnews.com.
- ^ "UAE top tourism destination in the Arab world".
- ^ "UAE: direct contribution of travel and tourism to employment 2018". Statista.
- ^ "Travel and tourism - The Official Portal of the UAE Government". u.ae.
- ^ "Emiratis crucial to UAE's tourism success". The National. 30 April 2016.
- ^ "Burj Khalifa is Dubai's most visited tourist attraction | Arabian Post". February 9, 2014.
- ^ "The World Islands". Atlas Obscura.
- ^ "Habitat: Desert | Connect With Nature". connectwithnature.ae.
- ^ Yakheek, Mahfooz (2003). "STRATEGIC VISION OF HIS HIGHNESS SHEIKH ZAYED BIN SULTAN AL NAHYAN" (PDF). apps.dtic.mil. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved 2020-08-10.
- ^ "Built in 1979, the original Metropolitan Hotel was famed for being one of Dubai's first hotels and an institution in itself".
- ^ "Dubai Tourist Information". Retrieved Sep 27, 2019.
- ^ "Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum: The Engineer and Architect of Dubai | Reach Personnel International".
- ^ "Sorry, the page you requested was not found". www.zu.ac.ae. Retrieved Jan 30, 2020.
- ^ Hatemi-J, Abdulnasser (April 12, 2016). "On the tourism-led growth hypothesis in the UAE: a bootstrap approach with leveraged adjustments". Applied Economics Letters. 23 (6): 424–427. doi:10.1080/13504851.2015.1078440. S2CID 155815209 – via Taylor and Francis+NEJM.
- ^ "Tourism contributes AED 134bn to UAE's GDP". Hotel News ME. November 23, 2016.
- ^ "Department of Culture and Tourism". department of culture and tourism abu dhabi.
- ^ "Ten of the best Abu Dhabi beaches | Etihad Airways Atlas magazine". Atlas by Etihad. June 6, 2018.
- ^ Baby, Elin P. (March 9, 2019). "Got A Reason To Party Hard! Head To Abu Dhabi Right Now!".
- ^ "Dubai among most expensive cities for expat living, coffee". May 30, 2018.
- ^ "Dubai Nightlife". www.dubainight.com.
- ^ "Planning for Tourism: The Case of Dubai". ResearchGate.
- ^ "12 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Fujairah | PlanetWare". www.planetware.com.
- ^ "In Fujairah, bulls fight for honour, not money or blood". gulfnews.com.
- ^ "10 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Ras Al-Khaimah | PlanetWare". www.planetware.com.
- ^ "Sharjah, the Cultural Capital of the Arab World Centro Sharjah". www.rotanatimes.com. Retrieved 2015-06-21.
- ^ "14 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Sharjah | PlanetWare". www.planetware.com.
- ^ Morgan, James. "UAE: Heart of Sharjah on track to complete by 2025 | ConstructionWeekOnline.com". www.constructionweekonline.com. Retrieved 2018-12-03.
- ^ "UAE: international tourist arrivals 2017". Statista.
- ^ "Dubai tourism: number of visitors 2018". Statista.
- ^ "Dark face of Emirates unmasked: Lifting the veil on life inside UAE". The Independent. October 6, 2015.
- ^ Ago, Kashifnaseemin #pic • 2 Years (February 28, 2018). "Why is Dubai called a fake city?". Steemit.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "'It's the most soulless, artificial city I've been to'". NewsComAu. January 25, 2017.
- ^ "Kate Hudson's Bizarre Dubai Tourism Video Met With Human Rights Backlash". The Blast. January 13, 2020.
