Dubai Entertainment & Activities
Dubai is quickly becoming a popular international tourist destination (targeting 15 million tourists by 2010 and 40 million annually by 2015). All those people aren't only attracted to Dubai's unique skyline and luxury hotels - they are visiting Dubai for the many things to do in Dubai. Shopping, sporting events, and nightclubs stand out amidst the numerous activities being built in Dubai.
Shopping in Dubai
Standing at the intersection of Dubai's history in "trading," its newfound popularity among travelers, and its wealth are several Dubai shopping malls. Dubai is the shopping capital of the Middle East - if not (soon) the World.
- The Mall of the Emirates proudly proclaims its status as "Retail Destination of the Year" - and with over 2 million square feet of shops - there's little doubt as to why. Although it isn't the largest shopping mall in the world, and it will soon be eclipsed as the largest shopping mall in the Middle East, I believe it is still the only mall in the world to offer skiing in the mall (at indoor ski resort Ski Dubai). Ski Dubai offers indoor skiing on three football fields of snow all year round. No - it isn't a mirage - that's really snow in the desert.
- The Dubai Mall, which is opening soon, calls itself "The World's Largest Mall" and "[i]ndisputably, the most dramatic retail real-estate development ... [i]n the world." Part of Downtown Dubai, The Dubai Mall will have ~ 1200 stores with ~ 9 million sq. ft. of retail space. It will also have an ice skating rink, an aquarium, a streetscape with retractable roof, an indoor theme park, a waterfall, and a movie theater.
- In the works at Dubailand is the Mall of Arabia (also claiming to be the largest mall in the world) and the regions first shopping mall for factory outlets in the region, Dubai Outlet City.
- Other malls include
Entertainment includes the Dubai Shopping Festival, Dubai Summer Surprises, the Dubai Food Festival, and the Dubai International Film Festival.
Dubai is also known for its nightlife and clubs.
Dubai Sports and Recreation
The construction of the Dubai Sports City (part of Dubailand), when completed in 2010, will perhaps give Dubai everything a budding athlete could desire. A residential and commercial real estate mixed development with a 60,000 seat outdoor stadium, a cricket stadium, an indoor arena, a field hockey venue, gymnasium, swimming pool, golf course, schools for football, tennis & golf, an equestrian and polo club, and even a sports-themed retail mall.
Dubailand, "the world's leading family entertainment destination" with an expected permanent population of 2.5 milion and size twice Disney World when completed, also promises a Six Flags, a Dreamworks Animation theme park, dinosaur oriented Jurassic theme park, a Go-Kart theme park and racing school, and beauty spas.
Football and cricket are very popular in Dubai. Dubai also hosts the Dubai Desert Classic (golf), the Dubai World Cup (thoroughbred horse racing), and the Dubai Tennis Championships. Don't forget skiing at Ski Dubai. And the Tiger Woods Dubai Development (the first golf course in the world designed by Tiger). And a Sea World and Busch Garden on The Palm Jebel Ali. Really, there's simply too many opportunities to list.
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