Tourism in Dubai, the largest city of the United Arab Emirates, is an important part of the Dubai

government's strategy to maintain the flow of foreign cash into the emirate. Dubai's lure for tourists is
based mainly on shopping, but also on its possession of other ancient and modern attractions.
The United Arab Emirates have signed a tourism cooperation agreement with Lebanon on February
10 2009
Tourists are required to obey some Muslim religious restrictions in public even if they are not Muslim
themselves, such as refraining from eating or drinking in public places in the daytime during
Ramadan fasting.
Expats and tourists are not allowed to consume alcohol in public, besides licensed venues (such as
bars and hotel restaurants) or private homes.

Tourist accommodation in Dubai is ubiquitous and relatively expensive, and all of the world's major
chains are present in the city. In early August 2013, plans for Dubai's first underwater hotel, the
Water Discus Hotel, were publicly revealed. Developed by Polish company Deep Ocean Technology,
the Water Discus will be the world's largest hotel of its kind and will be in addition to two underwater
suites in existence at Dubai's The Palm: Atlantis accommodation venue
Most capitals and other major cities have direct flights to Dubai. More than 120 airlines operate to
and from Dubai International Airport to more than 260 destinations, making it one of the world's
busiest. Dubai is also the home base of Emirates Airline, the international airline of the UAE, which
operates scheduled services to more than 100 destinations.
In June 2009 Emirates airline designated a special handling area at departures and arrivals for
passengers with special needs, allowing wheelchair passengers to receive a more personalized
service.[10]
DTCM has been promoting the Cruise Business since the start of the 21st century. The
establishment of the first cruise terminal in Dubai in 2001 and the opening of the enhanced New
Dubai Cruise Terminal in February 2010 with higher handling capacity has drawn the attention of
cruise line operators around the world. Cruises to Dubai sail from: Singapore, Sydney, Athens,
Dover, Venice, Cape Town, Civitavecchia, Piraeus, Alexandria, Istanbul, New York, Southampton,
Barcelona, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Los Angeles, Mumbai, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Monte Carlo,
Mombasa, Victoria, and Cairns among others.[11]

The United Arab Emirates boasts an impressive network of first-class 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. Highways and main roads in Dubai and
the United Arab Emirates are designated by an Emirate Route Number. Speed limits are clearly
displayed on road signs and are usually 60-80kph (37-50 mph) around town and 100-120kph (6274 mph) elsewhere.[12]
Most travelers must obtain a Visit Visa prior to entering Dubai. However, citizens (and
some residents) of Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Persian Gulf(GCC) and citizens of
a number of states in Europe and elsewhere (including Canada, Australia and New Zealand) can get
a free entry permit stamped in their passport upon arrival, valid for up to 90 days. Visitors from
other nationalities require the sponsorship of any UAE resident or any company or hotel licensed to
operate within the UAE and are limited to a 30-day stay. Citizens of the UK, France, Italy, Germany,
the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal,
Greece, Cyprus, Finland, Malta, Spain, Monaco, Vatican, USA, Canada, Iceland, Andorra, San
Marino, Liechtenstein, Hungary, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia and
Hong Kong may stay for up to 30 days without a visa. [14] Citizens of Ireland may stay for 60 days with
a 30-day stamped entry permit, with the option to extend to 90 days for a fixed charge. [15]
As of 2 January 2011, Canadian citizens had to acquire a visa prior to travelling to the United Arab
Emirates, but this was later changed and Canadians may now acquire a visa on entry.[16]
Dubai has been nicknamed the "shopping capital of the Middle East." [25][26] 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. Dubai is known for its souk districts. Souk is the Arabic word for
market or place where any kind of goods are brought or exchanged. 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.[27] Dubai's most atmospheric shopping is to be found in the
souks, located on either side of the creek, where bargaining is part of the buzz.
Modern shopping malls and boutiques are also found in the city. Dubai Duty Free at Dubai
International Airport offers merchandise catering to the multinational passengers using Dubai
International Airport.
While boutiques, some electronics shops, department stores and supermarkets may operate on a
fixed-price basis, most other outlets consider friendly negotiation as a way of life.

Dubai's numerous shopping centres cater for every consumers need. Cars, clothing, jewellery,
electronics, furnishing, sporting equipment and any other goods will all be likely to be under the
same roof.[28]
In 2002 DTCM formed the Dubai Convention Bureau (DCB) to conduct all international bids on
behalf of the emirate for attracting major events to Dubai.The DCB also carries out comprehensive
promotional activities that relate to Dubai as a meetings and conventions destination and organizes
and participates in trade shows, workshops and road shows and prepares all collateral to promote
Dubai as a leading business tourism destination.