36 Destinations
In 2020, Dubai will unveil the new world’s tallest building, Tower at Dubai Creek Harbour, which is set to dramatically transform the city’s skyline
DUBAI Dubai Tourism / ME3110, ME3140
There are few places in the world where it’s possible to swim in azure waters, marvel at futur- istic city skyscrapers, shop in sprawling mega- malls and explore swathes of majestic desert, all in one destination. In Dubai, not only is it all possible, but new and exciting attractions are added, it seems, almost daily. And the emir- ate’s appeal shows no signs of slowing down. Last year, Dubai welcomed an incredible
15.27 million visitors, while it was recently named the world’s fourth most visited destination in a travel survey from MasterCard. The city built on superlatives now has its eyes fixed firmly on becoming the planet’s favourite holiday spot– with just Bangkok, London and Paris edging ahead on the MasterCard Global Destinations Cities Index. Dubai Tourism’s Vision 2020 also aims to attract 20 million visitors per year by the time Expo 2020 Dubai takes place, doubling the 2012 visitor figures while also adding even more amazing attractions, as the build-up to the mega-event gathers pace.
Prized for its year-round sunshine and luxury
lifestyle, Dubai boasts a rich culture, with roots in the historic pearl trade. Traditional buildings and dhows dotted around Dubai Creek give a glimpse of a simpler past, as do desert trips for tourists and residents keen to learn about the local Bedouin people. The city is home to the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, the world’s largest shopping venue, The Dubai Mall, and one of the most luxu- rious hotels in the world, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. A slew of stand-out projects has also helped to define Dubai, including the futuristic Dubai Marina and manmade archipelago Palm Jumeirah. Last year, even more spectacular projects
were added, including Dubai Opera, Dubai Water Canal and major theme parks IMG Worlds of Adventure and Dubai Parks and Resorts. Given the emirate’s constantly evolving
architectural landscape, it should come as no surprise that 2017 has plenty more in store. Included among the 50-plus properties
Given the emirate’s constantly evolving architectural landscape, it should come as no surprise that 2017 has plenty more in store
slated to open are Bulgari Resort & Residences, Crowne Plaza Dubai Marina, Creek Rotana, Venu Bluewaters Island Hotel by Jumeirah Group and the Hollywood-inspired Paramount Hotel. Plans are also afoot for the US$32 billion
(AED117.5 billion) expansion of Dubai World Central. Expected to be the biggest airport project in the world, the two-phase effort will take between six and eight years to complete, and will eventually accommodate more than 220 million passengers annually.
Dubai Water Canal
Dubai Opera
Kuwait has the sixth highest annual GDP per
capita in the world, according to the International Monetary Fund, at US$71,264 (KWD21,749)
KUWAIT Kuwait Ministry of Information - Tourism Sector / ME1310
Steeped in ancient Arab culture, Kuwait is a country which also has its sights set firmly on the future. In recent years, the capital Kuwait City has emerged as a vibrant locale, bustling with cultural attractions, tempting restaurants and plenty of plush places to shop. Outside of the city, a pristine coastline is peppered with luxurious beachside resorts which are increas- ingly drawing in visitors. Located at the head of the Arabian Gulf,
Kuwait is perfectly placed as a potentially busy Middle East hub. To capitalise on this, the coun- try is working towards lofty infrastructure ambi- tions which continued apace in 2016 with public, private and planned developments totalling US$252.3 billion (KWD76.6 billion). In May 2016, the Gulf nation agreed a US$4.3 billion (KWD1.3 billion) contract to build a new passenger termi- nal at Kuwait International Airport. Partially powered by solar energy, the
708,000 square-metre terminal will be capa- ble of handling 25 million passengers per year.
Meanwhile the country’s ambitious US$7 billion (KWD2.1 billion), 171-kilometre metro rail project is intended to ease congestion on the roads once it is completed. Tourism constituted just 1.5 percent of
Kuwait’s GDP in 2015 but the country is commit- ted to growing the industry in the years ahead as the focus shifts to nurturing non-oil revenue streams. Among its diversification efforts is a plan to turn five islands off the Kuwaiti coastline – Boubyan, Failaka, Warba, Miskan and Awha – into economic free zones. Jasem M Al-Habib, Assistant Undersecretary for the Tourism Sector in Kuwait, said the move would attract “at least five million tourists” to the country while also creating about 40,000 jobs for its citizens. In October, Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural
Kuwait is perfectly placed as a potentially busy Middle East hub. To capitalise on this, the country is working towards lofty infrastructure ambitions
Centre officially opened with famed tenor Andrea Bocelli taking to the stage. The venue includes a performing arts centre, concert halls, cinemas and a conference centre. Elsewhere, the US$700 million (KWD213.6 million) Al Khiran waterfront development, announced in 2015, will comprise Kuwait’s first outlet mall, two high- rise residential towers, a furnished apartment tower and a 900-boat capacity marina. The country is also boosting its hotel offer-
ings with a mixture of both luxury and mid- market options. Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya is set to open in Kuwait City later this year. The property will later be joined by the InterContinental Kuwait and the Mercure Kuwait.
Kuwait Towers
Failaka Island
Kuwait City
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