According to figures published by the Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Dubai’s hotel industry has seen a strong growth in the first quarter of 2011. The DTCM reports that there were 2.38 million visitors (up 13.6 percent) and guest nights rose by a staggering 35.4 percent. Hotel rooms rose from 64,143 in the first quarter of 2010 to an amazing 72,419 in 2011 which made a great difference to the number of people visiting Dubai.

With many new hotels opening in the near future this trend is expected to continue throughout 2011.

The Palm Jumeirah will see the opening of the five star Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jurmeirah. Set in a prime waterfront location, the seven storey Kempinski has classically-inspired architecture and will be welcoming it’s first guests at the beginning of July.

Situated in the heart of Deira are two new Rotana hotels which will be greeting guests by the autumn. The five star Al Khor Rayhaan and the deluxe hotel apartments Al Khor Arjaan come with cutting edge technology and access to the luxury Zen the Spa, fitness centres and swimming pools.

The Hilton group will be launching the Double Tree by Hilton and the Dubai Jumeirah Beach Residence which is located on Jumeirah Beache’s golden mile.

Dubai was originally a small fishing village but is now considered by many to be the pearl of the Middle East. Today Dubai offers so much to do and see that visitors are spoilt for choice on their holiday packages to this amazing destination.

Offering a vast range of attractions, Dubai offers fascinating souks (markets), cultural attractions including museums, mosques and historical buildings

Jumeirah Mosque

and monuments, shopping malls and shopping events, sandboarding in the desert, desert safaris, beaches, parks, theme parks, zoos, golf courses and much much more. And of course the extraordinary Ski Dubai, the indoor ski centre which is a must to visit on your bargain holidays to Dubai.

Dubai Creek is a natural seawater inlet that divides the city of Dubai into two parts – Deira Dubai and Bur Dubai. Visitors to the city can take an abra (water taxi) along the creek to see the old trading port and the dhows (traditional arab sailing boat) from the water. The abra’s criss-cross the Creek from the souks of Deira to those on the Bur Dubai side. Located at the inland end of the Creek is a large, shallow lagoon which is now a wildlife sanctuary and a haven for migrating shore birds and the Greater Flamingo who have made the Creek their permanent home. A leisurely walk along the wharf will give you an insight into Dubai’s trading heritage and traditions, it is here that the dhows dock to unload their goods. These Dhows still operate along the ancient trade routes to places such as India and East Africa.

Exploring Dubai during the summer gives visitors endless days of fun and enjoyment. In June 2011 the Dubai Summer Suprises (DSS) event takes place for the 14th year running. This shopping fiesta and summer entertainment event will be held from the 22nd June to the 31st July. The event was started by the Dubai government to promote Dubai as a family holiday destination and has grown in popularity ever since its launch in 1998, attracting millions of visitors from all over the world.

Since 1998 visitors to Dubai have enjoyed the Dubai Summer Suprises including not only the beautiful golden sun drenched beaches, but also experiencing shopping , entertainment and the region’s biggest indoor edutainment venue, Modhesh World.

What is Dubai Summer Suprises?

The DSS event see’s the region’s best shopping deals, competions with millions of dirhams as prizes, top-class family entertainment and the Middle East’s best spas just waiting to spoil and pamper visitors.
About 50 luxury malls offer top shopping promotions while hosting shows, concerts and exhibitions. Shoppers are rewarded for shopping with chances to win prizes and gifts throughout the DSS.
The many spas offer reduced rates for a variety of health and wellness treatments including body scrubs, rasul mud baths, Moroccan baths, ayurveda treatments, Swedish and Thai massage, detoxifying treatments, reflexology sessions and numerous other therapies.
The mascot of the DSS is called Modhesh, this is an Arabic word meaning amazing, incredible and unexpected. Modesh World, located at Dubai International Airport Expo, is spread across 37,000 square meters and is one of the largest indoor edutainment venues in the region. Originally starting as an indoor entertainment venue for children in 2000, Modesh World has now grown to become a complete edutainment venue for the whole family. There are 45 enthralling zones, each zone with its own concept and theme, an amazing collection of unique games, a funfair and also stage shows including Powerpuff Girls, Ben 10, Hello Kitty and many more, too many to mention!
During the DSS there will also be a few fashion shows to show off the new fashion trends in Dubai.

The Dubai Summer Suprises gives Dubai a chance to share its culture, history and traditions to visitors who often book last minute holidays to the amazing Dubai and its surrounding Emirates.

Visitors can always be assured of a warm and friendly welcome and with many cheap holidays available to Dubai during the summer you will not be disappointed.

The Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), also known as ‘Layali Dubai’ in Arabic, is an annual international shopping event.  Originally conceived in 1996, the event now attracts more than 3 million people and is today one of the most important shopping events in the yearly calendar. 

Dubai Shopping Festival – Discounted Shopping and Bargains
Many tourists plan bargain holidays to Dubai during the DSF to make the most of the discounted shopping and offers that are available during this event.  A shopaholic’s dream, a variety of goods can be purchased at tax free prices including jewellery, watches and perfumes.  Daily draws also take place amounting to millions of Dirhams being given out as gifts!

For real atmosphere, visit o0ne of th emany souks, located on Dubai Creek to soak up the shopping atmosphere and experience the buzz.  Visit the Gold Souk, Spice Souk or Fish Souk and be amazed at the products on offer and the spectacles to be seen.

Events and Entertainment during DSF
On top of the vast selection of promotions, discounts and bargains that the Dubai Shopping Festival offers, there are daily events such as street performances, music shows, film festivals and fireworks.  There are also different shows based on selected themes such as Tarzan and Fashion week plus many sports to get involved in including football, tennis, rowing plus many more.

DSF 2011 – 15 years of the Dubai Shopping Festival
In 2011 the event ran for 32 days from the 20th January to the 20th February.  The event opened with an amazing show at the Burj Khalifa Boulevard and Dubai Creek Park with fireworks.  Disney also performed an exclusive production here in 2011 plus there were many raffles, concerts and shows such as the Dolphin show, concerts from Amy Winehouse, N.E.R.D and many more artists.

During the fifteen years that Dubai Shopping Festival has been running, there have been over 40 million visitors to the event, consumers have spent  Dh84 billion and prizes have been given away to the value of Dh1.35 billion.

Dubai Shopping Festival 2012 Dates
In 2012 the Festival will commence in the 3rd week of January and will last for a month.  Package holidays for the event next year will be advertised soon with many offers on accommodation and flights available during this time.

Dubai is becoming a popular choice of destination for global cruise liners and passengers alike. It’s increase in popularity is marked by the increase in cruise tourists to Dubai by 80 per cent from 2008 to 2010. Located on the southern Arabian Gulf, Dubai has always had a strong marine association, attracting seafarers and traders for commerce.

cruise entrance

The new Dubai Cruise Terminal at Port Rashid which opened in 2010 allows more ships and passengers than ever before. Covering an area of more than 37135 square feet, the new terminal can accommodate three to four ships at the same time.

Costa Cruises made Dubai its regional cruise hub in 2007, giving the Dubai cruise industry a major boost. The Costa Deliziosa was inaugurated in Dubai during her Grand Maiden Cruise in February 2010. This was the first time that an Arabian city hosted a cruise ship christening ceremony.

Inside the terminal

Royal Caribbean International is the second major cruise line to base one of its ships in Dubai. The Brilliance of the Seas offers guests 13 decks of entertainment, activities and accommodation and also the chance to explore Dubai before and after their cruise.   

Dubai offers luxury and great bargain holidays for everyone to enjoy before or after their cruise.

There are always travel deals available throughout the internet so that you can combine your cruise with a stay in Dubai and enjoy all that this amazing destination has to offer.

Sandboarding or Sand Surfing as it is often called is very similar to snowboarding, the main difference being that it takes place on sand dunes rather than snow slopes. The sport involves sliding down sand dunes with your feet strapped to a board. More experienced people don’t strap

Dubai dunes

 themselves to the board but this is considered to be dangerous, especially for novice boarders. Speeds of up to 60mph have been recorded by sandboarders in Dubai. Just like snowboarding it is best to start with the smaller dunes and progress to the much steeper ones.

Conventional snowboards can be used for sandboarding but it is best to use a board made from harder materials like formica, laminex and fibre glass composite. To ensure a smooth ride over the sand you will need to wax your board with a paraffin based wax.

Dubai is a very popular location for Sandboarding as it has vast areas of desert with plenty of sand dunes. Because conditions are excellent throughout the year you can sandboard in Dubai at any time, whilst snowboarding is reliant on good snowfall and may not be available at certain times of the year. Many of the larger dunes get very busy with local people and visitors so it is best to find quieter smaller dunes. Some of the dunes are 200-300m high, the biggest one is called Big Red and is very popular so it is best to avoided by novices. The best time to sandboard in the Dubai desert is

Desert camel ride

in the morning before the temperature gets too high, don’t forget to take plenty of breaks in the shade and drink plenty of water so that you do not dehydrate or get sun-stroke! Afternoons can be spent taking a camel ride or exploring the dunes on a dune buggy.

The best way to reach the desert from Dubai is by a 4-wheel-drive vehicle. The journey into the desert from Dubai usually takes about half an hour and you can either hire your own transport or use one of the companies which provide the vehicle and driver. It is usually best to use one of the excursion companies as they know the desert better than anyone.

4x4

Sandboarding is a must do for adrenaline junkies on their package holidays to Dubai. A great time to visit is late January to early February when the annual ‘Hugo International Sandboarding Championships’ are held in the Dubai desert.

Look out for the great direct holidays to Dubai that are always on offer throughout the internet and enjoy some exhilarating sandboarding.

Dubai Festival City is an urban community covering 1300 acres on the Dubai Creek waterfront. Stretching for nearly two miles along the creek it has everything including shops, entertainment and leisure, dining establishments,hotels,villas, apartments, duplexes, schools and much more besides.

Dubai Festival City

The Dubai Festival City is less than two miles from Dubai International Airport and consists of three main districts, the Festival Centre, Marsa Al Khor and Al Badia, which are connected by an 18 miles of internal roads and a creekside promenade.

Covering more than two millon sq ft the Festival Centre is the epicentre of the Dubai Festival City. With more than 400 top class shops, 90 restaurants, cafes and bistros including the Hard Rock Cafe Dubai and the Marina Restaurant Pavilion where you will find 14 great dining venues in one location, a 12-screen Grand Festival Cinema complex and Bowling City, the centre is regarded by many as the United Arab Emirates best retail, entertainment and dining venues. Visitors to the centre will not be disappointed as it plays host to events, entertainers, musicians and parades every week. The Festival Centre has played host to many concerts by world class entertainers including Kylie Minogue, Carlos Santana and Maroon5 to name just a few. Add a concert by your favourite entertainer to your holiday when booking one of the many travel deals available to Dubai. Located in the Festival City is the 33 storey Festival Tower which offers 360 degree views across Dubai and the Creek.

Al Badia Golf

Connected to the Festival City is the Al Badia Golf Club. Featuring a Robert Trent Jones II designed 18-hole golf course, the club has a golf academy for both experienced golfers and beginners. The club also has three restaurants, a lounge and bar, and a conference and events centre.

Marsa Al Khor is a business park connected to the Festival City, complete with offices, luxury suites and apartments, cafes, shops and landscaped gardens.

The Dubai Festival City is one place you won’t want to miss on your last minute holiday deals to the beautiful and fascinating Dubai.

Dubai enjoys year round sunshine so it is not a suprise that visitors flock to it’s beautiful beaches and beach parks. The beaches here are ideal for just relaxing or enjoying some of the great watersports on offer. Beaches here include the popular stretch of Jumeirah beaches, Palm Beach and Al Mamzar Park.

Dubai Creek

Dubai Creek is a natural seawater inlet that cuts right through the centre of the city. When walking along the Creek you will see traditional dhows, abras (water taxis), yachts which share the water with some fascinating water birds. Tourists can take in an abra to take in the magnificent sights of the Creek, including the Al-Maktoum Bridge, and the surrounding skyline. 

Al Fahidi Fort, one of the oldest and most important monuments in Dubai, is centrally located in Dubai City. The fort was originally built as a defence against attacks from the sea. Built in 1799 the fort is now a museum (Dubai Museum) displaying cultural artefacts from the past. One of the most amazing exhibits at the museum is a 4,000 year old grave from the Al-Qusais archaeological site. Other exhibits include military artefacts, ancient weapons, Arabian sailing boats and pearl-diving gear.

Al Fahidi Fort

Dubai has hundreds of skyscrappers which are best viewed at night from the top of one of these buildings, giving you a panoramic view across the city. These skyscrapers include the Burj Khalifa (tallest in the world), Rose Tower (72 storeys), 21st Century Tower (55 storeys) and the Emirates Tower (54 storeys).

Palm Islands are a group of artificial groups, the largest in the world. They comprise of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira. These man-made islands have everything, including accommodations, shopping malls, dining establishments, water parks and much more.

Grand Mosque

Located on the Bur Dubai side of the Dubai Creek, the Grand Mosque is one of the largest mosques in the United Arab Emirates. The mosque was opened in 1900 and then rebuilt in 1998, retaining it’s original traditional Islamic style, with the addition of the tallest (230ft) minaret in Dubai.

Dubai has some great amusement parks and gardens for the whole family to enjoy. The larger parks include Jumeirah Beach Park, Dubai Creekside Park, Al Mamzar Park, Safa Park and Mushrif Park. Smaller parks, but still worth visiting include Al Nasr Leisure Land, the Heritage and Diving Village and Al Boom Tourist Village.

When planning your package holidays to Dubai look out for the great offers that are always available throughout the internet.

There are lots of holiday websites offering last minute holidays for all the family to this wonderful destination.

Wild Wadi Waterpark

For a great family day out a visit to the Wild Wadi Waterpark is a must. The park covers 12 acres, with more than 30 rides and slides.

Wonderland Amusement Park

With water rides, dry rides and a large swimming pool.

Mushrif Park

Mushrif Park

Covering 1300 acres of desert-like conditions, the park offers natural attractions and a swimming pool.

Creekside Park

Located on the shores of Dubai Creek, the park covers 237 acres with attractions for the whole family. These include an amphitheatre which seats up to 5,000 people, a golf course, beautiful lush greenery, picnic areas and childrens attractions.

Mamzar Park

This is a large , green park with its own beach, childrens play areas, cycle hire, bbq facilities and snack shops.

Mamzar Park

Dubai Museum

Housed in the Al Fahidi Fort, the exhibits here date back more than 3,000 years. The museum has life-size dioramas of the early days before oil was discovered in Dubai.

The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding

The centre is located in the historic Bastakiya Quarter of Dubai. The centre gives an insight into Arabic customs, offering an intriguing cultural day out for all the family.

Jumeriah Mosque

A tour of the mosque enables visitors to view some fine, beautiful examples of Islamic architecture.

Talise Spa

When you need a bit of rest and relaxation, this is the place to be. The Talise Spa is located at Madinat Jumeriah and offers a wide range of treatments, saunas and hot tubs.

There is lots more to do and see when on one of the many holiday packages to Dubai.

Take advantage of the holiday deals to Dubai that are on offer and enjoy the many different things to do and see in this fascinating country.

Dubai has many great attractions and places to visit, there are far too many to mention so here are just a few of the most popular and the most unusual.

Global Village

Started in 1996, the Global Village is located beside Dubai Creek. Originally the village consisted of small units selling products from countries around the world but has now much bigger with more than 40 countries displaying their products. The village attracts millions of visitors every year.

Ski Dubai

Located in the Emirates Shopping Mall, Ski Dubai has ski runs, ski lifts and has the worlds first ever indoor black run.

Dreamland Aqua Park

Situated about 35 minutes from Dubai in Umm Al Quwain, the park covers 62 acres of ground with more than 25 water rides, restaurants, cafes and a pool bar. Camping facilities are also available here.

Wild Wadi Waterpark

Situated about 20 minutes from the city centre between Burj Al Arab and the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, the waterpark covers an area of 12 acres. Here you will find more than 20 water rides to excite all of the family.

Wonderland

This is a theme park with a Caribbean theme, complete with slides, rides, shows, games and plenty of places to eat. The park is split into three areas, Main Street, Theme Park and Splashland.

Dubai Zoo

Located in Juneirah the zoo is a great day out for all the family. The zoo has many different species of large cats, primates and Arabian mammals.

Dubai Museum

Situated in Bur Dubai, the museum is located in the late 18th century Al Sahid Fort. The fort has been restored and offers an insight into the Dubai of years past.

Heritage Village

Here in the heritage village there is a museum displaying all kinds of artefacts, some dating back to 550BC.

Diving Village

Here you will find articles which relate to the days when local people dived for pearls in the  Gulf of Dubai.

Dubai Creek

The best way to view the wonderful buildings that line the Creek is to take an Abra (small barge) ride, particularly in the evening when there is a firework display from the middle of the creek.

Spice Souk and Gold Souk

Both of these souks (markets) are located on the north side of Dubai Creek.

Hatta

This is Dubais only mountain resort and is located about a 45 minute drive from Dubai. The Heritage Village here consists of houses made from mud, stone and palm tree trunks, watch towers, a mosque and Hatta pools.

The above are just a few of the great attractions Dubai has to offer you when on your family holidays to this fascinating destination.

You will always find great travel deals to Dubai available throughout the internet.

A souk is a market place where all types of goods are sold or exchanged. Originally the souks were located near the docks and were used as trading places for goods brought into the country on ships from India, Ceylon, China and the Far East. In the past the goods being bargained over were items such as spices, perfumes and silk, nowdays you can buy anything from gold to designer goods to electronic goods.

The Gold Souk

With more than 300 Gold Souks in Dubai, this is the place to shop as it is considered to be the cheapest place in the world to buy gold as there is no tax on gold and the import duties are very low. There is a huge variety of gold sold here, including such items as rings, bracelets, earrings, chains, necklaces, pendants and hair accessories. You will find both modern and traditional designs made from different coloured gold including yellow, white, pink and even green shades.

The Spice Souk

Here you will be amazed by the aroma of all the spices on offer. The spices here are imported from the Middle East and sold straight from the sacks that they arrive in. Goods on sale include saffron, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, dried fruit and nuts to name just a few.

The Fish Souk

Open in the early morning and late at night, this is a fascinating souk to visit. Here you will find a huge array of different fish including lobster, crab, prawns, squid, shark, red snapper, sea bream, rock cod, king fish, barracuda, tuna, mackerel and sardines all of which are landed by the local fishermen.

The Perfume Souk

Here you will smell the aromas of thousands of different perfumes, from the traditional ittars (Arabian perfume) to all the latest designer perfumes. If you can’t find a fragrance you like the shopkeepers here will mix a potion to your taste. The traditional perfumes here differ from western perfumes as they have a very strong spicy smell.

There is much more to see and do in Dubai but for those who like to shop a visit to a souk is a must when on your direct holidays to this wonderful country.

Why not look on the internet for one of the many last minute holiday deals to Dubai which are on currently on offer.