Dubai

From a collection of small villages on the shores of Dubai Creek, historically one of the Arabian Gulf’s foremost trading centers, Dubai now commands global attention.

While continuing to experience prodigious growth, Dubai is already firmly established as a dream destination. Breathtaking architecture, glamorous beach resorts, great restaurants, good service, year-round sunshine, a vibrant nightlife, exciting theme parks, major sporting events - and of course some of the best shopping on the planet - have secured Dubai’s position on many a vacation wish list.

Dubai hosts a number of annual major world championship sporting events. The Dubai Desert Classic is one of the most important tournaments on the pro-golf calendar and attracts the top players. International standard sporting facilities also see the Dubai Tennis Open Championship held each year. And the Dubai World Cup is a highlight of international horse racing, offering the richest purse of any race day in the world.

Information about Dubai
20m

Est. Visitors by 2020

80%

Expat Population

4th

Most Visited City in the World

No.1

Airport for Int'l Passengers

Dubai as a tourist attraction city

Do you want to paraglide, jet-ski or learn to windsurf? Play tennis, golf or go horse riding? Amateur enthusiasts will find a wide choice of superb recreational facilities. Maybe you want to shop till you drop? You’ve come to the right place. Perhaps you just want to relax with a cocktail in guaranteed sunshine? The choice is yours. Because Dubai has something for everyone, young and old.

The city has also proved an exciting place to do business. Dubai is the regional centre of companies in numerous commercial sectors and an increasingly popular venue for leading international conferences. With its booming economy and high standard of living, this metropolis where the desert meets the sea has a tremendous amount to offer to investors and visitors alike.

Dubai Attractions

Quick Facts

Facts about Dubai Airport

Dubai Airport

Airport facilities include the Dubai Duty Free complex which stocks on latest electronics, luxury goods and designer labels; other facilities include banks, shops, food shops, a post office and car rental offices.
UAE visa requirements

Visas

Travelers to the United Arab Emirates must have passports valid for at least three months after date of entry. Visas are also required by all except citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and British nationals for stays up to 30 days. Transit passengers with valid onward travel documents who do not leave the airport don’t require a visa. Israeli nationals are not allowed entry into the United Arab Emirates.
Important emergency numbers in UAE

Useful Numbers

Country dialing code: 971
Dubai Area Code: 4
Police : 999
Ambulance : 998
Fire : 997
Directions: 700017000
Road Assistance: 8004900
Telephone Directory: 181
Healthcare in Dubai

Health Care

In Dubai, hospitals are well equipped and are among the more superior in the UAE. Health insurance while travelling is recommended, as medical care in Dubai is rather costly. Tap water in Dubai is safe for drinking, but in rural areas stick to bottled or boiled water. Always choose well cooked meats and avoid dairy products, which may be made from unpasteurized milk.
Dubai business hours

Business Hours

Banks and private offices are open from Sunday to Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Government office hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Sunday to Thursday.
During the month of Ramadan, most offices are closed in the afternoon.
Shops are open from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m, although shops are open till midnight on weekends.
Facts about currency in Dubai

Currency

The United Arab Emirates dirham is divided into 100 fils. Bills come in 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 10, and 5 dirham. Coins are minted in 1 dirham, and 50 and 25 fils. Most banks, hotels and legal moneychangers will handle the exchange of foreign currency. Banks offer the best rates. American Express, Diners Club, Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted in larger and more expensive establishments.
Languages in the UAE

People

Language: Arabic is the official language. Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu are also used. Literacy rate is about 77.9%

Religion: Muslim 96% (Shi'a 16%); Christian, Hindu, and other 4%.
Population: UAE: 9.4 million
Dubai: 3.1 million
Facts about clothing in Dubai

Clothing & Attire

Office attire consists of lightweight slacks; long or short sleeved shirts and ties. Jackets and or business suits are worn for more formal occasions and important meetings. For women, smart, conservative corporate wear such as long sleeves blouses, and skirts are appropriate. Revealing outfits such as low necklines, mini-skirts or tight shirts are not acceptable in public places.
Business entertaining will often be extravagant, a suit or a dinner jacket may be required of men. Women are expected to wear evening dresses and skirts. Women are advised to bring shawls or stoles, as air-conditioning in hotels and restaurants can be chilly.
Lightweight clothes are generally suitable the whole year round including winter. However, you might want to bring a light sweater or cardigan for winter nights when temperatures may drop. At the beach or at the pool, trunks, swimsuits, and bikinis are acceptable.
Tipping in the UAE

Tipping

Hotels and restaurants often include a 10% service charge, which makes tipping unnecessary. However, if a service charge has not been included to your bill, tip 10% to 15% of the bill to the service staff. Hotel porters are tipped a couple of dirhams per luggage. Cab drivers need not be tipped.
UAE timezone

Timezone

GMT+4, same as Muscat.
Dubai is three hours behind Bangkok and eight hours ahead of New York.