Dubai has become the best tourist destination in the world - here’s why it’s so incredible

Outperforming Paris, London, New York and other competitors for the top spot, Dubai has been named the world’s top tourist destination, cementing its status as a leading center for both tourism and business. But how exactly has this newly founded metropolis surpassed other iconic and much older cities in popularity, and what makes it so incredible to visit?

The number one city in the world

For the second year in a row, Dubai has been ranked number one in the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards, based on “millions” of “real and unbiased” visitor reviews over the 12-month period from November 1, 2021 to October 31, 2022, who praised the array of affordable travel experiences and excellent service. (The statements in quotation marks are ©TripAdvisor, we don’t know how true they are, but it’s hard to disagree with the conclusions). The city is beautiful with its futurism in itself, but there are also excursions from Dubai to its sights and surroundings - a little cheaper if you book them before the trip from home.

Among the extensive list of Dubai attractions, they named the following as the best:

• Walk along Alserkal Avenue, a cultural district with contemporary art galleries
• Old Dubai, an amazingly picturesque area with bazaars and traditional food markets.
• Dine at one of 11 MICHELIN approved restaurants in Dubai
• Cityscape from one of the hotel’s many rooftop pools, including the Aura Skypool
• Visit one of the largest and most luxurious spas in the world, Talise Ottoman Spa at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray.

According to Forbes, Dubai’s success is also due to the "considerable effort" put in by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to promote it.

The Sheikh’s main goal is to make Dubai the "most visited" city. Although Dubai has not yet won the title of city of love, it is openly challenging it by investing heavily in tourism initiatives. And believe it or not, the overthrow of Paris is just around the corner as Dubai has already been named the preferred destination for weddings.

In addition to being a promising destination for weddings, Dubai is also in high demand among young travelers, especially digital nomads, due to its high quality of services, infrastructure, cleanliness and a high level of security that exceeds that of most Western countries.

> Dubai is so safe that dozens of viral videos are circulating of people using their phones and wallets to book tables in busy restaurants or inside malls without fear of their personal items being stolen.

>The roads are so clean and pothole-free that speeds are limited to 140 km/h on some highways, and finding trash or the occasional graffiti tag is extremely difficult.

>Even calling an Uber in Dubai is a very different experience than in many other cities, as the base level of an "Uber Comfort" car is usually a new full-size Lexus or Tesla, and a 10-15 minute ride costs no more than $10-$12.

With inflation being the biggest sensation of the past year, it’s hard to imagine that prices for any services will come down, but that’s exactly what happened to taxi prices in Dubai just a few weeks ago. Due to lower fuel costs, the government has decided to lower taxi fares so that tourists and residents can take advantage of the savings.

A large number of flights

Tourists wishing to visit Dubai in the coming years will be pleasantly surprised by the huge number of direct flights to and from the city, for all budgets and service levels. Aeroflot flies from Sheremetyevo. Budget travelers can find affordable flights on low-cost airlines like flyDubai, while those looking for the ultimate luxury experience can fly first class on top airlines like Emirates, Etihad - flying from Domodedovo.

City of the future

Given that modern-day Dubai is only four or five decades old, it’s amazing how quickly it has diversified its oil-based economy. In just a few years, the surrounding Arabian plains, dotted with oil wells and drilling holes, began to change dramatically after the growth of tourism and the arrival of wealthy investors.

Dubai has been nicknamed the city of the future, and it’s not hard to see why: its skyscrapers and urbanism are textbook examples of 21st-century grandeur: towering skyscrapers, wide boulevards, entertainment complexes and lush green parks that rise above a vast arid landscape that was home to a fishing village just 56 years ago and a trading port.

Of course, parallels can be drawn between the real estate boom in the Emirate of Dubai and Tulum, Mexico, which began as a small settlement before the advent of luxury resorts. However, unlike Tulum, Dubai’s meteoric rise and rapid internationalization have not harmed its unique character.

It’s a newborn, mostly man-made city, and there’s plenty of room to grow - that’s what makes it so intriguing. From gigantic weightless moon-shaped resorts to incredible ski stations in the heart of the desert, there are no limits for developers and they are always striving for more and better.

The most liberal Arab world

Fortunately for tourists, the largest city in the world is open and free from restrictions. From November 8, 2022, all foreigners are allowed to enter Dubai regardless of immunization level and without strict health checks upon boarding, such as mandatory testing or quarantine.

Western citizens are reminded that despite the easing of medical restrictions, other rules continue to apply for those entering the United Arab Emirates for tourism purposes. Although the country is among the most liberal in the Arab world - in most cases there are no restrictions on wearing clothes - there are still other rules that must be observed.

For example, there are certain restrictions on the consumption of alcohol and the importation of certain drugs. To avoid getting into trouble with UAE border guards or violating some little-known law that is not respected in the country of origin (for example, in the USA), travelers are advised to do their research in advance.

Dubai attracts not only tourists

With the popular digital nomad visa and extremely attractive zero tax incentives for some free zone companies, Dubai is attracting entrepreneurs, business owners and aspiring professionals from all over the world. More golden visas and residency visas were issued last year than at any other time in history, and there are no signs of a slowdown in growth.