The exotic city of Dubai has evolved from a small fishing settlement that conducted limited trade to an international business and commercial center. Located on the Persian Gulf and surrounded by desert, the city is an ideally situated trading port for the United Arab Emirates and the entire region. Dubai is also the name of the largest emirate in the UAE. Some use the name “Dubai City” to distinguish the Dubai Municipality from the larger emirate.
Dubai’s economy relies on trade, real estate, financial services and tourism. The government has created “Free Zones” to encourage business expansion and development. Businesses located in these zones are treated as offshore companies, which means they are essentially tax-exempt.
With a large number of companies in the area devoted to exporting and importing of goods from around the world, its easy to see why the area is a magnet for business travels. The many business hotels Dubai take pride in catering to the needs and comforts required by these special travelers.
Businessmen who venture outside the conference room will find that Dubai has many recreational and historic sites to astound and entertain. The city is home to well-preserved traditional architecture, open markets which are called “souks,” museums, restaurants, galleries, and even man-made islands that capitalize on the city’s expansive coastline. Recreational activities range from golf to skiing, from swimming to ocean and creek cruises, from hot air balloon tours to desert safaris.
Dubai is also home to a water park and a famous zoo. During the year it hosts a number of cultural and arts festivals such as the Dubai Desert Rock Festival, the Dubai International Film Festival, and the International Festival of Literature.