Glitzy, towering and striking — Dubai is no less than a big luxury hotel — where one can find a plethora of luxury shopping malls, extravagant hospitality, futuristic landscapes, state-of-the-art architecture and vibrant nightlife options.
The highlights of Dubai include the shapes of its high-rise structures. It looks like an architect’s playground — housing the world’s tallest skyscraper, Burj Khalifa as well as the recently opened world’s tallest hotel, The Gevora. This shows that the city is by far the most modernistic of the seven emirates in the UAE.
And during Dubai Expo 2020, will welcome 25 million visitors between October 20, 2020 and April 10, 2021, making it a huge draw for the emirate’s tourism department. Dubai is also trying to include travel, tourism and MICE companies from around the world to contribute to this global fair.
Additionally, Dubai’s cruise industry is also playing a key role in contributing towards tourism. To boost this sector, the emirate recently introduced multi-entry UAE visiting visa as exclusively for cruise tourists from over 50 countries.
Apart from this, adventure sports are also catching up. Skydiving, off-roading, sea kayaking and mountain biking are some of the adventure activities that you can try out in Dubai. Not to forget, the food culture here is an experience in itself that should not be missed. Despite having a heavy foreign influence, Dubai’s local food scenario is still thriving. A glimpse of this can be seen in Old Dubai, which is the traditional food quarter of the emirate.
Also, of late, Dubai is thriving to establish itself as a sports and medical hub of the Middle-East.
According to a recent report released by Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), the emirate has received over one million Indian travellers in the first half of 2018
Expo 2020 Dubai — Sustainability First
Between October 20, 2020 and April 10, 2021, Dubai will play host to Expo 2020, with a theme of “Connecting Minds, Connecting the Future.” With an expected visitor count of 25 million, the Expo will be spread across 438 hectares, in the Dubai South district, near the Al Maktoum International Airport. As part of Expo 2020’s masterplan, visitors will be able to experience three separate zones, each corresponding to a different theme — opportunity, mobility and sustainability. While the stands and enclosures will amount for 200 hectares, there will be a 240 hectare area dedicated to the Expo 2020 Village for visitor and staff accommodation, storage, amenities and logistics. The venue is capable of welcoming up to 250,000 visitors on any given day. As with all world expos, the objective is clearly defined — Expo 2020 Dubai aims to spark off a conversation between global players on innovation and creativity. The concept of sustainability has been strongly incorporated into the planning of the whole event, and great thought has been given to the use of the venue after the Expo. The Expo aims to generate half of its energy needs from renewable sources, for the duration of the event. Water used for cooling and irrigation will be recycled and most construction material will be reused somehow, after the event.
In addition to participation by 150 countries, Expo Live is a highlight to look forward to. It is an innovation and collaboration initiative launched by Expo 2020 Dubai to promote sustainability and creativity, with a funding of USD 100 million, carried out through conferences, seminars and workshops. This initiative will be presented at the Innovation Pavillion and Innovation Labs.
expo2020dubai.com
Dubai Design Week
This year marks the fourth edition of Dubai Design Week — one of the largest creative festivals in the Middle-East. It is a six-day programme, which will see galleries, shops, public spaces, universities and pop-up outlets in Dubai, showcasing design works from a range of subjects like architecture, products, furniture, interior and graphics. Downtown Design fair, Global Grad Show and Abwab, a curated project containing original designs from the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia are amongst the key events to be hosted this year.
When: November 12 – November 17, 2018
Where: Galleries, shops, cultural institutions, public spaces, universities, showrooms and pop-up spaces in Dubai’s Design District
Dubai Shopping Festival
Dubai Shopping Festival is a one-stop destination for all the shopaholics. Every year, visitors from across the globe come here to get impressive deals on fashion, jewellery, electronics and accessories amongst others. This month-long fiesta will also witness entertainment activities such as fireworks display, fashion shows, and live concerts, making this festival a must-visit in the emirate.
When: Onwards December 26
Where: Citywide
Baltic Sea Philharmonic at Dubai Opera
Enjoy an evening of music at Dubai Opera with a stunning production titled ‘Waterworks’. A collaboration between the Baltic Sea Philharmonic Orchestra and Sunbeam Productions, this show will highlight different forms and aspects of water around the world and its role as a source of life, energy and freedom. A blend of visual and music elements, the concert will be complemented by impressive lighting effects and state-of the art production techniques.
When: November 14, 2018
Where: Dubai Opera
Sole DXB 2018
Explore Dubai’s street culture at Sole DXB 2018. The event is in its seventh year and celebrates fashion, music, art and sports that is deeply rooted in Dubai’s culture. The lifestyle platform also plays host to an array of film premieres, art exhibitions and concerts. You can also enjoy performances by Dubai-based bands and DJs. In the past, music artists like Skepta, Kano, and Mobb Deep have showcased their talent on this cultural platform.
When: December 6 – December 8, 2018
Where: Dubai Design District
Dubai Traditional Rowing Race 3
Water sports enthusiasts should definitely witness the Dubai Traditional Rowing Race. An initiative by Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC), the event includes over dozens of wooden rowboats lining up to race and compete for the prestigious Maktoum Cup. The racing season combines the rich seafaring history of the emirates and their contemporary love of sport.
When: November 10, 2018
Where: Dubai International Marine Club
PaRUS International Music Festival 2018
Indulge in some Russian pop and rock music at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, at this year’s PaRUS International Music Festival. This three-day event will have performances by top music talents like Grigory Leps, the highest-earning Russian recording artist ever, television presenter and actress Loboda, rapper Egor Kreed, and pop music artist Ruki Vverh. Dance performances and after parties are some of the other highlights of this music fest.
When: November 1 – November 3, 2018
Where: The Events Arena, Jumeirah Beach Hotel
DP World Tour Championship 2018
Sports lovers can’t afford to miss the DP World Tour Championship, one of the biggest sporting events in Dubai. Organised at Jumeirah Golf Estates, this golfing event will be celebrating its tenth edition this year. World’s best golf players take part in this tournament in the UAE, and compete for a coveted title and price money. Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm are some of the ace golfers who have taken part in this tournament, in the past.
When: November 15 – November 18, 2018
Where: Jumeirah Golf Estates
XDubai Spartan Race presented by Dubai Holding
If you are an adventure junkie, then you must take part in the XDubai Spartan Race, presented by Dubai Holding. The activity will require you to run through mud and water, climb hills and mountains, crawl under barbed wire and also jumping fire. If you don’t want to take part in the race, then sit back and enjoy it from the festival area, from where all the action can be seen. Music, local food and beverages add to the overall vibe of this event.
When: November 16, 2018
Where: Hatta Mountain Bike Trail Centre, Hatta, Dubai
