GULF STATES
GULF STATES J
Four of a kind
The four countries that make up the Gulf States can guarantee year-round sunshine, top service levels, beaches and, increasingly, high culture and excellent value for money, says Adam Coulter
ust a seven-hour fl ight time from the UK, and with a three-hour time difference, the Gulf States –
Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (comprising Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras al Khaimah, Sharjah, Ajman, Al Ain and Fujairah) and Oman – are spread in an arc along the warm shores of the Arabian Gulf. A generation ago this region was home
to nomadic camel herders, pearl fi shermen and traders. However, the discovery of oil in the 1960s led to a handful of families amassing unimaginable wealth, which has led to massive infrastructure investment and tourism development. Dubai is by far the best known, and has in under 20 years, established itself as one of
From left:Contrasting images of the Gulf States, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and traditional crafts (Rotana)
the UK’s most popular tourist destinations. Dubai suffered in the economic downturn in 2008/09, with many building projects suspended or abandoned, and the negative press did not help visitor numbers. However, it has seen recovery in the past
few years with an overall increase in UK visitor fi gures of 6.6%, from 643,195 in 2011 to 685,629 at the end of 2012. Dubai is currently served by 161 direct
fl ights per week from the UK (77 from Heathrow, 21 from Gatwick and a further 63 from regional airports), and this year it will add a further 4,000 beds, with another 11,000 in planning. Neighbour Abu Dhabi, and nearby Oman, are increasingly popular alternatives, particularly for those who wish to get a glimpse of how the region once was and to enjoy culture and art, rather than just sunbathing, watersports and shopping.
Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, attracted 140,393 UK visitors between January–December 2012, and 12,595 in February this year. They stayed in 141 hotels and hotel apartments – a 10% rise on the same month in 2012. And the Brits are also staying longer, with the average length of stay in February increasing by 9% to 4.45 nights.
“When selling Qatar suggest a car for your clients to explore the country’s beaches, with over 300 miles of sandy coastline and car rental from about £30 a
day, it’s worth a day or two” JONATHAN DITTE, PRODUCT MANAGER JETSET HOLIDAYS
www.sellinglonghaul.com
June 2013 29
STARWOOD HOTELS AND RESORTS
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