Dubai: Tourism Capital…Of the World? برج دبي

Burj Dubai is now about 30 stories in height and is “laying the foundation” for an international chain of Armani Hotels. The tower, an art deco spire that will climb to a height of 800 meters, or 2,625 feet, will become the largest structure in the world. The tower and surrounding complex is becoming the new center of the City of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, a country whose economy is based entirely on oil production. The country is looking to diversify its economy by introducing tourism, mainly from western nations. Emaar Properties, the principle developer, is spending upwards of $9 Billion on the complex and is in no way spending conservatively: the Burj Dubai’s interior will be decorated by Georgio Armani and its facade will be clad in a chrome-glass composite. The city is becoming home to a few “world’s firsts.” The downtown marina, Dubai Marina, is set to be the largest man-made marina in the world. The Palm Islands, a residential retreat, is in the process of becoming the largest artificial island on the face of the earth. The city is already home to the world’s tallest hotel, the Burj al-Arab. Many Westerners have misconceptions of the Middle East and what it has to offer as a tourist destination. Europeans are beginning to become acquainted with Dubai, as it is a midway point between Europe and the capitals of Asia.  Most Americans won’t step foot in the Middle East. Cities like Dubai are proving the opposite of popular belief, that Arabia is much more than terrorists and a sandy desert.