Fenomen sukcesu turystycznego Dubaju (ZEA). Przyczyny i prognozy na przyszłość

The tourism industry phenomenon in Dubai. Reasons for its developmnet and forecasts

Summary: The tourism industry in Dubai has been perfectly developing under a variety of economic-financial, organizational, law, demographic, socio-cultural, technological and other conditions. Conscious co-ordination of the conditions above mentioned changed small fishing village into economic and tourist power in only 40 years. Dubai is now cosmopolitan with foreigners constituting 80% of the population. The right of residency is given only to those with a valid job contract and it is verified every two years. This is the reason why there are no problems commonly associated with immigrants such as necessity of paying unemployment benefits etc. The country is seen as the economic Mecca – there are no taxes for the citizens (also for foreigners). Only economic activity is taxed (4%). The tourist industry in Dubai is steadily increasing and new investments are funded every month. Some of the investments very quickly become themselves tourist attractions. The Burj Al Arab 7* hotel is a good example. The economic boom in Dubai is not caused by the crude oil deposits as it is commonly thought. Production of the oil constitutes (with associated industry) about 10,4% GDP. The main source of income is the duty free trade and the tourist industry with all associated services. Statistics evaluated by the DTCM indicate that the material status of tourists has increased. This is mainly due to high share of business travels and high specialization in a field of exclusive tourism. Contemporary investments go along with this tendency (the 7* hotel is localised at the waterfront, Festival City, Palma etc.). After the 11th September the incoming tourism in Dubai decreased as in other Muslim countries. In order to improve the situation, the Tourism Department shifted promotion of the tourism to the countries where people are less afraid (comparing with citizens of USA and UK) of acts of aggression from Muslims. Due to such changes American tourists became exchanged by less demanding but very rich tourists from former USSR. Therefore the tourist industry in Dubai underwent only slight and short-lasting recession. The change of nationality of incoming people leads to some intercultural confrontations. Behaviour of the citizens from the former USSR is much more free and easy comparing with behaviour of other Europeans or Americans who are more accustomed to different cultures. Very frequently the new tourists dress too scanty and often one can see a bikini in the centre of the city (because it is hot…). The government of Dubai does not react yet – it is afraid of being accused of fundamentalism and does not want to “frighten tourists”. However, total ignorance can lead to aggression from native citizens or very conservative incomers from neighbouring Oman.

Domański B., Skiba S. (red.), 2005, Geografia i Sacrum, tom 2, IGiGP UJ, Kraków, s. 27-37.

Instytut Geografii i Gospodarki Przestrzennej UJ

ISBN 83-88424-43-2

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