Hospitality and Leisure in Dubai

The tourism industry in Dubai accounts for a rapidlyAn interesting fact is that 30% of the total tourism
growing percentage contribution to its economy.visitors are those visiting for meetings, conferences
Tourists visiting Dubai were estimated at 2.9 million inand exhibitions. Dubai is becoming a popular area for
2006 and it is evident this is a 6.5% year on yearbusinesses to exhibit, have offices and meet clients.
growth.There are endless exhibition halls and office space all
Shopping is a huge pull for Westerners visiting Dubai.of extremely high quality and with all facilities required.
Dubai has the seventh largest shopping mall in theAnother lure to Dubai which is growing year on year
World. The largest malls in the world are the Southis for the sporting facilities and events in Dubai. Dubai
China Mall and Jin Yuan. The Dubai Mall is actually theSports City is a sprawling area of Dubai offering 50
largest in the Middle East and Europe. The Dubai Mallmillion square feet of sporting venues which includes
has 1200 shops at a size of 12.1 million square feet.academies, football pitches and golf courses. Ernie Els
To put that size in an easier context, it is the size ofhas designed and constructed a championship
50 football pitches. Quite simply, shop till you drop!standard golf course within Dubai Sports City whilst
2007 recorded occupancy rates in Dubai hotels ofManchester United and David Lloyd have built
74% with the rates in 5 star hotels even higher atacademies. As this is a self contained mini city, Dubai
nearly 85%. This figure is predicted to rise for 2008.Sports City has exceptional Dubai property available,
European guests staying in Dubai hotels accountedmany apartments having views of the sporting
for 32% of the total number of hotel guests withdevelopments. Also within the city are retail
American’s making up just 8%. The number ofdevelopments and many cultural activities.
hotel rooms in Dubai is set to double with theAs there is so much to see and do, visitors keep
construction of Bawadi by Tatweer in Dubailand. Acoming back and back. Many tourists are wanting to
state owned company are planning to build this sitepurchase their own piece of Dubai in the form of one
where it will hold 31 hotels, the highest concentrationthe many exceptional Dubai properties. Dubai Sports
of leading hotels in the world. This, they say, is toCity alone contains luxury developments including the
cope with the 15 million tourists predicted to visitEagle Heights and Elite Sport Residences. Luxury
Dubai by 2010. Bawadi is also set to have over 100Dubai property can be found throughout Dubai, even
theatres each showing live, cultural performances.within shopping malls!