The UAE attracts many visitors every year. In 2013, Dubai launched Vision 2020 which aims to attract 20 million visitors to Dubai by 2020. Dubai, being only one of the seven emirates, hopes to triple the annual contribution made by tourism to the city's economy (Algethami, 2013). The UAE is full of attractions along with lively nightlife, entertainment events, and huge malls. The UAE is a growing tourist attraction that is only getting larger.
Attractions-The Burj Khalifa: A famous building in the UAE and one of the landmarks in Dubai. It is the world's tallest building and the highest observation deck in the world.
-Hajar Mountains: These mountains are located in the desert and are home to many small villages and winding roads. -Souks: The shopping in the UAE is huge. The Deira district in Dubai is where one of many souks are. -Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: This is one of few regions open to non-Muslims. This mosque has breathtaking architecture and design. It can be visited at any time except during prayers. -Emirates Palace: This huge hotel contains renowned orchestras, impressive architecture, and a private beach. |
(FilmsonUAE, 2012)
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English in UAE Tourism
The UAE has many English speakers amongst the population. In places such as Dubai, an English speaker will not have a problem getting around because many of the boards and street signs have an English translation (seen left). Knowledge of Arabic is not needed to find one's way around the cities. However, if someone goes to more rural areas in the UAE, English may not be as common. The picture on to the left shows how English is a major language spoken in the UAE and requires English translations due to the influx of tourists and non-Emiratis. The English language is the lingua franca of tourism.