In the winter of 2005, all five star hotels in Dubai registered 100% occupancy with few business travelers but mostly tourists wanting to satiate their wanderlust to discover the Arabian land. Tales from Arabian Nights of yore have fascinated generations of adults and children alike. As UAE opens its borders, ports and coastlines to welcome global travelers, Dubai Tourism industry is growing rapidly. Two years later also the number of tourists have registered a healthy increase. Dubai, one of the first to allow a glimpse of the rich Arabian culture and heritage is now attracting more visitors even by world of mouth. It is not the only the rich cultural heritage that is imposing. In tune with international requirements, the city provides also contemporary adventure sports, shopping, entertainment zones, museums, exotic flora and fauna. Ancient trade links of Sheikhdoms, survival of an economy in sand dunes and old sea port hubs, all make an attractive itinerary for an excited tourist. With the famed belly dancing girls, desert nights spent in winters with live entertainment, dance and Arabic music, the trip to Dubai becomes memorable. With world class five star hotels, resorts, beaches, Palm Islands, Dubai is a living example of how a desert can turn into a lucrative, revenue paying region.

Dubai is full the year round with business travelers and tourists. The traditional Arab hospitality and a tolerable winter climate also contribute to its popularity as a tourist destination. What is available to satisfy the first time tourist and frequent visitors?

1. Cruises
2. Heritage tours
3. Adventure Sports
4. Desert Safaris
5. Shopping and film festivals
6. Traditional sports like falconry, camel racing, horse racing
7. Golf, Polo and cricket tournaments
8. Beaches on the Arabian coast

No tourist can survive a tour without stay, good hospitality and food. Dubai provides the best of hotels, restaurants and food courts. One can savor local cuisine, every international menu in famous eating places. Dubai is tourist friendly and also provides great memorable curios as takeaways from the trip. From the Equator line, UAE is strategically placed in the center. It becomes a link to east and west of the world Travelers can avail of all ticketing facilities, airlines and onward internet bookings. Dubai offers a vast variety of sight seeing, tours and adventures at reasonable costs to an average traveler.

The government has a larger role to play in popularizing the country to the world. The current rulers have done a commendable job, as hosts, to millions of globe trotters. UAE has now become a benchmark for other Arab nations to attract revenues through tourism. As other Muslim countries open up to welcome the rest of civilization, it will change the world's perceptions about them. Tourism is an excellent way to replace hostility to hospitality and thereby bringing peace to the region. Arabian nights will continue to fascinate generations of travelers. And travelogues will still remember Arabic regions with the same mystery and thrill of adventure and mystery. Ahlan Washlan.