Dubai Economy & Tourism Welcomes Indian Visitors for a Summer Quick Getaway

Celebrities Poonam Dhillon, Divyanka Tripathi, and Vivek Dahiya are featured in the summer advertising campaign for Dubai Economy & Tourism, which highlights an action-packed family vacation! Dubai Economy & Tourism has announced amazing “Kids Go Free” offers at all of the city’s best hotels, hotspots, and attractions.

The season of summertime fun is back, and Dubai is inviting Indian families to visit the city for a break they won’t soon forget. The newest summer advertising campaign for Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism debuted with Poonam Dhillon, Divyanka Tripathi, and Vivek Dahiya as a celebrity couple.

The advertisement showcases the abundance of indoor and outdoor activities that families must partake in when visiting the location in order to create lifelong memories. The central theme of the movie is the importance of family ties as it unites three generations in an original plot. Poonam Dhillon portrays a likeable, sporty mother figure who ushers the audience into the multicultural city of Dubai.

Poonam Dhillon and her grandchildren are shown in the creative advertising video “Do you believe it?” as they eagerly recount their day of adventure-filled exploration of the modern metropolis in the sun. With eye-catching, vibrant images of a variety of activities, such as time travel in a shuttle spaceship at Museum of the Future and heart-pounding experiences like the Edgewalk experience at Sky Views.

After a hot air balloon ride to chase the clouds and a desert drive in vintage four-wheel drives, the day is finished at record-breaking speeds on the Storm Coaster.
In discussing the campaign, Bader Ali Habib, Head of South Asia, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, said: “With increasing demand for family-friendly experiences among Indian tourists, we seek to promote Dubai’s broad spectrum of services for all travelers, no matter what time of year. With the onboarding of outbound Indian travelers this summer, we hope to highlight the city’s distinctive offerings and draw tourists of all ages, making it an interesting summer vacation destination. This campaign will be launched in India, and we’re excited to see what Indian family tourists will think of it immense value., as they continue to cure their summer itineraries.

Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) is charged with assisting the Government in positioning the emirate as an important transportation hub for global economy and tourism and in raising the city’s economic and tourism competitiveness indicators. The ultimate goal is to make Dubai the world’s leading commercial center, investment hub, and tourist destination. Under this mandate, DET is leading initiatives to further develop Dubai’s innovative, service-based economy in order to draw top talent from around the world, provide a top-notch business environment, and boost productivity development. Additionally, DET is promoting Dubai’s broad destination offering, distinctive lifestyle, and exceptional overall quality of life in order to promote Dubai’s aim of becoming the best city in the world to live and work in.

The primary organization responsible for Dubai’s commercial and tourism sectors’ planning, oversight, development, and marketing is DET. Additionally, it is in charge of classifying and licensing all forms of business, including lodging facilities, tour companies, and travel agencies. In addition to Dubai College of Tourism, Dubai Calendar, and Dubai Business Events, the DET portfolio additionally includes Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Dubai Festivals and Retail Organization, Dubai Industries and Exports, Dubai Investment Development Agency (Dubai FDI), and Dubai SME.

The reputation of private aircraft is poor. This business is attempting to make them more environmentally friendly.

The private aircraft industry has long been condemned by environmental organizations for contributing an excessive amount of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Last week, however, climate activists gained headlines by interrupting a private jet trade show in Switzerland.

Private jets are typically less effective than commercial jets and have substantially higher emissions per passenger because they frequently fly shorter distances. Private airplanes can be five to 14 times more harmful than commercial aircraft and 50 times more polluting than railways, according to research from the European non-profit organization Transport and Environment.

But in recent years, the private aircraft industry has experienced significant growth. According to a survey by the Institute for Policy Studies, the size of the worldwide fleet increased by 133% since 2000, setting industry records in 2021 and 2022.

According to research conducted by Greenpeace, 3.39 million metric tons of CO2 were produced by private planes in Europe alone in 2022, which is almost equal to the emissions produced by 753,000 gasoline-powered cars used for a year in the US.

However, experts believe that the industry can still make a significant contribution to the global effort to combat climate change, and some within the sector are looking at creative ways to lessen their environmental impact.

The Dubai-based private aviation firm Jetex, a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), aspires to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by the year 2050.
Jetex, which was established in 2005 by CEO Adel Mardini, today employs 750 people working out of dozens of private terminals throughout the globe, including those in Dubai, Miami, Paris, and Beijing.
In 2021, Jetex began selling sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), which are derived from renewable waste and leftover raw materials, to travelers at its terminal at Helsinki Airport through a partnership with the oil company Neste. The same year, it started selling SAF manufactured from discarded cooking oil supplied by the French business TotalEnergies at its terminal at Paris Le Bourget Airport.

SAF isn’t offered at all airports due to a limited supply, but the firm claims it wants to provide travelers with SAF as an alternative fuel option at all of its locations throughout the world.

In an interview with CNN, Mardini stated that Jetex is trying to convert all of its locations into entirely green private terminals in the future. “We continually think of how we may collaborate together with everyone, to reduce the impact that climate change has on our lives and the futures we have in front of us,” Mardini added.

Fuel shortage
As to the IATA, SAF can reduce CO2 emissions by 80% and will be the largest single contributor to achieving its 2050 net zero carbon emissions target. In 2021, aviation represented for more than 2% of all energy-related CO2 emissions globally.

However, Dr. Suzanne Kearns, an assistant professor of aviation at the University of Waterloo in Canada, says that scarcity is still the major problem.

“We anticipate that the use of sustainable aviation fuels will be responsible for 60 to 70 percent of the emissions reductions (in the aviation sector). However, in practice, it is currently two to eight times more expensive than conventional aviation fuels, and because of its restricted availability, it isn’t at every airport, according to Dr. Kearns, who spoke to CNN.

If the private aircraft business were to embrace SAF early, she continues, “the economies of scale might render them cheaper and the advantages could carry over to the other areas of the aviation industry.”

SAF is not available at every airport, but last week Jetex inked a contract that allows it to provide SAF to its clients all over the world. Passengers will be able to use the “Book and Claim system,” paying for SAF at an airport that offers it, to offset some or all of the conventional fuel consumed by the aircraft they are going on, thanks to a partnership with 360 Jet Fuel Ltd. In essence, that means they can “source” SAF from airports without a supply for flights.
Private aviation is gradually utilizing SAF more frequently. For instance, the UK-based jet charter company Victor also collaborates with Neste and recently disclosed that 20% of its customers willingly choose to use some SAF for their flights, using system of book &claim which calls “pay here, use there”

Pure green”

In addition, Jetex announced plans to open what it claims the first “pure green” private terminal in the world at Berlin’s Neuhardenberg Airport, which is home to one of the continent’s largest solar farms, last year.

“There is a solar farm beside the airport, which will completely meet the airport’s energy needs. To attain zero net carbon emissions, we also intend to deploy electric vehicles, according to Mardini.

The firm has been making incremental changes to several of its other destinations, including Dubai, London, Paris, and Singapore, in order to have fully “green” terminals by the end of 2024, while its Berlin terminal is still under construction.

In order to speed up the development of eVTOL, or electric vertical takeoff and landing craft, also known as flying taxis, Jetex is investigating the use of electrical aircraft and has established strategic partnerships with urban air mobility firms like Volocopter and Eve Air Mobility.

Is Dubai Safe for Travel?

The United Arab Emirates are made up of seven emirates, including Dubai.

It is a relatively new location that gained popularity recently as a result of the infrastructure’s rapid expansion.

It is without a doubt the most advanced and cutting-edge emirate in the UAE and may be regarded as a sort of independent city-state.

It has been developing tremendously quickly for years, and tourists flock there in droves to take in the latest technological and architectural marvels as well as the never-before-seen shopping malls. Dubai is a fantastic short-break destination where you can unwind and rest from your travels with a little bit of shopping, sunbathing, dining, and taking in many social events. It is only five hours from Europe and three hours from most of the Middle East and Near East, as well as the subcontinent of India.

  • Travelers might feel very protected in Dubai. The UAE is allegedly one of the safest nations in the world. In general, if you intend to travel to the UAE, safety shouldn’t be a concern.
  • You run a small chance of getting into an accident when driving because of erratic driving behavior. Off-road driving is obviously not advised because it can result in harmful collisions.
  • Make sure your car is outfitted properly and that you have extra water on you.
  • Despite the fact that pickpocketing is believed to be uncommon in the UAE, where the majority of people are foreigners, it nevertheless occurs because the country receives up to 14 million visitors each year. It is advised that you should be aware of your surroundings, especially when near Jemeirah Beach, which is a well-known pickpocket hotspot.
  • High temperatures, over 50C, are one of the natural calamities affecting Dubai. Both thunderstorms and sandstorms are frequent occurrences in this nation. Visiting the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System if you want to learn more about natural disasters.
  • As previously said, the UAE is a country where the majority of the population is made up of foreigners, hence incidents like mugging and kidnapping, particularly in Dubai, are quite rare. Foreigners avoid committing crimes since doing so would result in their instant deportation.
  • Threats to strike the Gulf region are still being made by terrorists in their public pronouncements. These strikes might target strategic locations such restaurants, hotels, beaches, shopping malls, and mosques as well as military, oil, transportation, and aviation targets. Make sure you are constantly aware of your surroundings.
  • There are hardly any scams in this region because it is a wealthy and thriving nation. Avoid con artists who will try to convince you to answer questions to win prize. To sell travel package they do this.
  • When visiting cities in Europe, Canada, the United States, or Australia, female tourists are subject to the same level of risk as male passengers. Take the usual safety precautions and steer clear of dark places and late-night street walks.
    Dubai is a really safe place to visit.

    Although there is crime—especially in and around popular tourist destinations—it rarely targets visitors.

    In Dubai, domestic violence predominates.

    Because the majority of people (workers) in the UAE are foreigners and the majority of the population is prosperous, pickpockets are less likely to target you because of this.

    In addition, the bulk of the people you’ll encounter are foreigners, which means that if they try to conduct any crimes, they will be deported right away. This fact alone deters crime.

    When it pertains to street violence and crime, pickpocketing poses the greatest risk, especially in and near well-known monuments and popular tourist sites like Jumeirah Beach and in less affluent neighbourhoods like Sonapur, Shindagha, and Satwa.

    Natural calamities like sandstorms and thunderstorms, as well as the ongoing possibility of a terrorist attack, particularly in the Gulf region, should be considered while planning a trip to the UAE.

Why travelers visiting Dubai may enjoy happy hour when the alcohol tax is eliminated

Due to its immense appeal, Dubai is expected to welcome around 13 million foreign visitors between January and November of 2022. People travel from all over the world to enjoy the world-class dining establishments, shopping in opulent malls, tanning on the sandy beaches, and drinking in the numerous bars in the city.

Even though Dubai is known for being the “party capital” of the Gulf and as a popular vacation spot, alcohol regulations have made enjoying your favorite cocktail in the city a costly and coveted treat. However, Dubai declared on January 1st that it will remove both the 30% alcohol tax and the licensing fee that foreign visitors and residents previously had to pay in order to purchase alcohol from retailers for personal consumption. Licenses are still only available to non-Muslims who are above age of 21.

For locals and tourists alike, this is a big shift even though drinking in public areas like parks, beaches, and shopping centers is still prohibited. Additionally, driving while intoxicated or drunk could result in a fine or jail time.The action was taken because Dubai is facing increasing rivalry from its neighbors, especially Saudi Arabia, which is making significant efforts to develop its own travel industry. Historically, Dubai has been able to draw in more tourists than other Gulf countries, in part because of its more lenient stance toward guest laws. The World Travel and Tourism Council estimates that foreign tourists spent more than $29 billion in Dubai in 2022.

During the tax’s implementation, “Dubai became a global tourism magnet because it has so much to offer tourists that the alcohol pricing was never an impediment,” says Magdalena Karolak, an associate professor of humanities and social sciences at a UAE university. Karolak claims that the new regulations are consistent with other recent social trends. These include changing the weekend from Friday and Saturday to Saturday and Sunday; allowing food establishments to operate during the day during the holy month of Ramadan with much less restrictions; and establishing a new family law for non-Muslim expat citizens.

“All things considered, these societal shifts make Dubai a desirable place to live permanently rather than just as a popular vacation destination,” claims Karolak. Notably, the new rule eliminated the documentation and costs residents had to pay in order to apply for a liquor license.

regional effects
However, there can be a drawback to the modifications. Karolak notes that because of the prohibitions on alcohol, there are less crimes related to alcohol in Dubai, such as drunk driving and disorderly conduct.

It’s unknown how long the new regulations will last. According to Karolak, the modifications will be implemented through the end of 2023 as a trial. “And, without a doubt, extending them or not will rely upon the effects that are felt in the emirate,”

The creator of the restaurant review website FooDiva.net, Samantha Wood, is based in Dubai and thinks the new project will give the city’s tourism industry a “fantastic boost.”

According to Wood, CNN, “we’ve witnessed alcohol distributors reduce their prices by 30% across both trade and retail.” When orders for new stock begin to arrive, “the consumer is, naturally, expects restaurants to comply and lower prices on their alcoholic beverage lists by the same amount.”

However, she has a suspicion that certain restaurants’ prices won’t fully reflect the tax drop. “I worry that a lot of eateries will take advantage of this chance to lessen the effects of other growing expenses and inflation, such as the impending introduction of corporate tax,”

Wood claims that the action should also attract foreign wine and spirits businesses, who had previously considered the emirate to be too expensive, to show more interest in Dubai.

“This new initiative is a smart move that will enable authorities to keep an eye on the circumstances and see if restaurants play ball by lowering prices, but it’s important to note that it’s only for one year,” she says. “I’m hoping restaurant owners will see the big picture and quickly and sufficiently reduce prices.”

In Dubai, hundreds of drones are illuminating the night sky.

Recent years have seen Dubai’s spectacular fireworks displays set several world records. Fireworks and laser exhibitions were seen all around the United Arab Emirates to welcome in 2023, with the Burj Khalifa being the location of the world’s largest laser display.

However, the aerial lights aren’t done yet. The city’s light extravaganza, which includes more than 500 drones, is elevating its holiday spectacles to a whole new level.
Skymagic is a UK-based company that now has a presence in Singapore. They specialize in drone-based light shows that have been seen all over the world, including at Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022 and in Zurich, Switzerland and Sydney, Australia.

Senior creative at Skymagic Ollie Howitt said, “We think of the sky as the largest canvas that there is to tell our tales, so the technology is very much influenced by that.”
The group is in Dubai, organizing two nightly performances at Blue waters Island, next to the Dubai Marina, from December 15 to January 29.

The two five-minute shows share a common theme of Dubai and both use 3D animations. The first depicts a day in the life of a tourist, beginning with visuals of Dubai International Airport and transitioning into animations of the city’s most famous landmarks. With a robot that goes on a journey which explore city in the future.

Over half a million people are expected to watch the drones light up the Dubai sky during the holiday season. Project manager for the show Suhail Maitreya says months of planning go into organizing a big live event like this.

According to Maitreya, “We get on the site about 10 days prior the first show and we run trials every night in advance. We begin preparing as early as July, so about six months in advance.” We begin by operating one drone, then five, and finally twenty. The complete fleet of more than 500 drones takes to the air three days prior to the first presentation, at which point the show begins to take shape.

Eco-friendly displays
According to Skymagic, the drones weigh between 200 and 500 grams, making them far smaller than delivery drones. “In terms of weather conditions, our newest fleet is quite good since it is far more wind and rain resistant than it has ever been. (which) is always something to take into account while organizing a drone display, according to Howitt.

Drones may also be a more environmentally friendly option than fireworks, which can leak harmful metal particles into the atmosphere and harm both the environment and human health.

“Its main advantage is that it leaves no trace. According to Maitreya, it is entirely sustainable. “I believe that in the future, drones will be used in an increasing number of cities throughout the world.”

Reasons Tourists Are Attracting To This Middle Eastern Destination

One of the most famous tourist destinations in the Middle East, Dubai has recently experienced an explosion in popularity.

The city was ranked as the top travel destination in the globe, and visitor numbers have been rising rapidly. More than 4.67 million tourists visited Dubai between January and March of this year, according to the most recent tourism statistics provided by the government of Dubai. This puts Dubai on track to surpass its previous tourism record of 16.73 million tourists in 2019.

Even though tourists are pouring into Dubai, a majority of them are foreigners. Only 7% of Dubai’s visitors are from the Americas, with the remainder hailing from Europe and Asia.

1.Great Place to Stop Over

Dubai is a fantastic place to layover. As one of the main airport hubs in the Middle East, Dubai is a well-liked location for connecting flights.

Why not break up a lengthy travel to Asia or Oceania with a multi-day layover in Dubai? In just a couple of days, you may see and do a lot.

For passengers with layovers of 10 to 24 hours, airlines like Emirates even provide special packages that consist of a free hotel stay and airport transfer.

2. Cost-effective Luxury

Dubai is renowned for being an incredibly glamorous tourist destination, yet many people are unaware of how inexpensive it is compared to other places.

For instance, a five-star hotel in Dubai will frequently cost less than half as much as one in New York, London, Paris, or Tokyo. Although expenses like dining out and entertainment can add up quickly, a luxury vacation in Dubai is still surprisingly inexpensive.

3. Special Activities

The Palm Jumeirah island construction and Global Village, a type of theme park featuring 90 countries, are just two of the many unusual things you can do in Dubai.

Another of the best activities to do in Dubai is to visit the beach. The city is well-known for its beach clubs and activities on the Persian Gulf like kayaking, kitesurfing, and paddle boarding.

4. Look at the Desert

Visits to the desert are among the most well-liked pastimes in Dubai. A short distance from Dubai is the Arabian Desert. Watching the city disappear as you are sucked into the huge, barren desert is breathtaking.

One of the best things to do in Dubai is to go on a desert safari. These day trips frequently include pursuits like camel riding and sandboarding.

5. Stunning Architecture

Dubai is renowned for its sleek, contemporary architecture. The Burj Khalifa, the highest structure in the world, is located in this city. Without stopping by one of its observation decks, a journey to Dubai is not complete.

Visit the Aura Skypool, the tallest infinity pool in the world, which is perched atop The Palm Tower. The well-known Dubai Fountain, which performs a nightly performance, is another must-see.

6. Entertainment and Nightlife

And lastly, Dubai is renowned for having a fantastic nightlife and entertainment scene. Even though Dubai is a Muslim nation, visitors are permitted to consume alcohol there in authorized hotels, pubs, and eateries.

Additionally, Dubai recently eliminated its 30% municipality tax on the sale of alcohol, making it significantly less expensive to go out now.

Dubai provides a ton of exciting nightlife alternatives, including top-notch restaurants, performances, and sights, even if you don’t want to drink.

Emirates Group intends to conduct a “mammoth” hiring drive in order to support business expansion.

As it increases its personnel in preparation for its upcoming significant growth phase, The Emirates Group is planning a “mammoth” global recruiting drive for 180 posts.

The multinational aviation firm with headquarters in Dubai is looking to hire customer service representatives for both Emirates and data as well as flight attendants, pilots, engineers, and IT specialists.

Oliver Grohmann, senior vice president of human resources, stated that “we are using the most cutting-edge technologies, such as digital assessments, artificial intelligence, and other top-notch recruitment systems, to shortlist, select, and react to candidates in the most efficient and effective ways.”

We are concentrating on hiring the individuals who are most qualified for the many positions that will back up and propel our long-term growth and expansion.

On March 31, Emirates Group reported having more than 102,000 employees, having hired 17,160 people for a variety of positions throughout the course of the year. For employment across the organization, it received around 2.7 million applications globally during the most recent fiscal year.

The group’s “mammoth” employment drive coincides with the airline expanding its network following a strong recovery from the Covid-19 epidemic and adding capacity with the arrival of new Airbus A350s commencing in mid-2024 and Boeing 777X wide-bodies from 2025 onwards.

In anticipation of growth amid a “buoyant travel market” and a “optimistic outlook overall,” Emirates Airline is expanding operations and its employees, it stated.

Emirates’ intentions to increase its workforce come at a time when the global aviation sector is struggling to find workers for all positions, including pilots, luggage handlers, ticket agents, flight attendants, and aircraft mechanics.

According to the International Air Transport Association, passenger traffic will return to 2019 levels in 2024. North America will take the lead in 2023, followed by Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East in 2024, and then Africa and the Asia-Pacific area in 2025.

Airlines continuing to make investments in new aircraft and technology to expand their operations after the pandemic prompted them to ground planes and retire older types, encouraged by the rise in travel demand.

When opposed to the faster-than-expected rebound in travel demand, hiring has been rather gradual. This is because many aviation personnel were laid off during the epidemic and transferred into other, more adaptable jobs.

Nevertheless, as travel demand increased, UAE airlines like Emirates and Etihad Airways employed flight attendants and pilots during recruitment drives in locations all over the world. More applications than there are open positions has been submitted.

By 2032, the commercial aviation industry will require the recruitment and training of an estimated 1.18 million new employees to replace open positions brought on by retirement, attrition, and industry growth.

The Canadian aviation training organization estimated that in ten years, the Middle East’s commercial aviation sector would need 28,000 commercial pilots, 22,000 commercial maintenance technicians, and 78,000 cabin crew.

The positions for which Emirates is hiring as well as how to apply

Emirates outlined the qualifications for each type of position in its most recent call for pilots, cabin crew, and other staff members while directing candidates to its website for more information.

Emirates hosts open houses and invite-only events to hire cabin crew all year long in hundreds of cities all over six continents. According to the statement, the hiring procedure is planned to be finished in a single day, and candidates are contacted 48 hours after the assessment.

The airline has announced that it will have a series of open days in August to find new pilots in the UK and Ireland, notably in Dublin and Manchester, as well as at London Gatwick and London Stansted. Following the holding of comparable events in Budapest, Madrid in June.

On its three recruitment programs for direct entry captains, rapid command, and first officers, the airline has hired almost 900 new pilots since 2022.

In July and August, Emirates’ engineering division is organizing open houses in Australia, Canada, Brazil, South Africa, and the UK.

Along with more than 400 opportunities in engineering support and aircraft maintenance engineering, the airline is seeking 75 structural technicians.

The airline needs the extra engineers and technicians as it embarks on a significant refit program for its cabins and gets ready to receive the A350 and 777X in 2024 and 2025, respectively.

More than 400 IT professionals are also being sought by the Emirates group for a variety of positions in software engineering, DevOps, hybrid cloud, agile delivery, technical product management, digital workplace, cyber security, IT architecture, innovation, and service management.

Customer support representatives are also in demand in contact centers, dnata, marhaba service, and Emirates Airport Services.

According to the statement, the group is also looking to fill positions with dnata, Emirates SkyCargo, and airport services.

Is Dubai Safe? These are 5 Essential Travel Tips for Visitors

The stringent restrictions of the emirate make Dubai virtually crime-free, but there are additional security issues.

  • Female safety
  • GLBT safety
  • To prevent heat stroke
  • Dubai’s safe desert
  • Dubai traffic

Dubai has one of the lowest rates of crime in the world and is a very multicultural metropolis. Small-scale crimes like pickpocketing are uncommon, while violent crimes are essentially nonexistent. The tough rules and widespread compliance with the strong government are partly responsible for Dubai’s high level of personal safety.

Although Dubai is generally less rigid than the other Emirates, there are still certain delicate subjects to be aware of, such as alcohol regulations and LGBTQ+ laws.

Even though Dubai has a reputation for being a safe and crime-free destination for tourists, there are still a few things to bear in mind when travelling both the city and the emirate of Dubai, including safety measures for excursions into the desert and during periods of intense heat.

Women’s safety

In general, women traveling alone or in groups can feel very safe in Dubai. Public transit is plentiful, English is commonly spoken, and free WiFi hotspots can be found all around the city. According to the community safety poll conducted by the 2021 Women, Peace and Security Index, 98.5% of women in the UAE said they felt comfortable walking by themselves at night in their communities, ranking Dubai among the safest cities in the world.

The tight local culture is largely to blame for the protection of women.

Dubai has less of a dress code than other emirates, such as Sharjah, the third-largest emirate, which is more conservative and where it is best to dress modestly. Because there are so many Europeans in Dubai, wearing shorts or a short dress is generally appropriate in the more westernized restaurants. However, the month of Ramadan, when the Islamic festival is observed, is the time of year when you should pay more attention to what you wear. While this does not mandate that foreign women cover their heads, it is advised that they dress more modestly by donning long dresses, slacks, and modest shirts.

LGBTQ+ safety

Dubai may present a cosmopolitan front with its opulent hotels and premium dining options, but that doesn’t necessarily imply it is forward-thinking in many respects. The laws governing LGBTQ+ rights in the United Arab Emirates are among the harshest, and Dubai is no exception. Every sort of same-sex act is prohibited and subject to harsh penalties, including as fines, expulsion, and jail. Although Muslims often face the harshest penalties, it is nevertheless crucial to be aware of these rules and to use caution when participating in same-sex open displays of affection. This restriction also applies to heterosexual couples because it’s against the law to demonstrate any form of affection in public, including holding hands.

Avoiding heat stroke

When visiting Dubai, you should take the heat into account. The majority of the year, temperatures can reach over 100°F (40°C). The hottest months are June through September, with August being the hottest month. If you intend to go outside at these temps, you must be prepared. In order to escape the heat during these months, a large portion of the city’s residents spend their time in malls and restaurants with air conditioning. If you intend to spend time outside, dress comfortably and drink plenty of water. Before organizing any outdoor trips during these hot months, you should give it great thought. Fortunately, there are plenty of hotels in Dubai with swimming pools if you want to stay cool while getting some sun.

There is a misconception that Dubai is constantly hot, yet there are some cooler months in this desert city. Temperatures are milder and more pleasant from November through February. With highs in the mid-70s (low-20s C) and lows in the low-mid 60s (15-18°C), January is the coolest month. The best time to go camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities is during these months.

Desert safety in Dubai

It’s not advised for first-time visitors to enter the desert on their own unless they are seasoned outdoor adventurers. With a local guide, you can reserve a variety of four-wheel drive desert safari excursions, or you can decide to visit the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve.

It’s crucial to pack appropriately because the desert might experience temperatures that are much more harsh than those in the city. Put on light, loose clothing that will keep you protected from the sun. Apply sunblock, and carry plenty water. If you do decide to go on a solo trip to the desert, be aware that you’ll be in large areas of sand with little to no infrastructure and patchy phone coverage. If you plan to stay overnight, always carry enough of food and water, hydration pills, a spare tire, and the necessary camping equipment. Although there are no huge predators in the Dubai desert, you should be cautious of venomous animals including vipers, scorpions, and kinds of indigenous spiders.

Driving in Dubai

The ability to freely travel through uncharted country is one of the most thrilling aspects of discovering a new location. If you are over 21 and have a valid international driver’s license, you are able to drive in Dubai.

Dubai is a hugely populated city with wide, intimidating freeways. Even while there are useful road signs in both Arabic and English, navigating the multi-lane motorways can initially be scary. Since the left lane is the fastest, you should stay out of it if you don’t feel confident navigating around aggressive drivers. To prevent traffic tickets, observe speed limits and other traffic regulations.

Off-roading on sand dunes can be exciting, but be careful if you go on an adventure with sand bashing.

As summer and Eid airfares increase, families choose budget flights and longer trips.

Families are being forced to reconsider their holiday plans due to the skyrocketing costs of plane travel during the busiest season from the UAE.

The summer rush of families traveling to their home countries or colder climates, followed by the Eid Al Adha festivals next week, has caused a spike in airfares to several popular destinations.

The start of the school year always coincides with a spike in summer travel. However, several expat families have complained that it is getting harder to locate cheap flights to their favored locations.

Uncomplicated travel

In order to avoid the burden of astronomical ticket prices, many have stated that they are choosing cheap airlines, taking longer, connecting flights, or even looking into alternate, less expensive travel destinations.

Marilene Lusci and her Italian husband Paolo Lusci, who both work in the oil and gas industry in Abu Dhabi, claimed they forwent the luxuries of first-class aircraft in favor of hassle-free travel to save money on their summer vacation.

“Rome to Abu Dhabi round-trip air travel is Dh5,500.Therefore, the ticket price alone for a family like ours would be Dh27,500, which is a lot, said Ms. Lusci, who has three children who are 13, 11, and 9.

“Wizzair tickets were available to us at about Dh1300. We managed to save a ton of money by choosing a budget airline, she said.

Twice a year, around Christmas and the summer, the couple takes vacations.

“We can only travel during that period when schools are off for the vacations. Therefore, scheduling flights during the off-peak season is not viable for us, Ms. Lusci stated.

The use of longer routes

Another expat living in Abu Dhabi who is a mother of three children claimed that her family chose to travel to Cairo in August via Portugal and London because the direct route was so expensive.

“To get from Dubai to Portugal, we’re flying on a budget that costing about Dh1,500 per person.We are also taking a Dh500 flight from Portugal to London on another low-cost carrier. We will spend our summer vacation in Cairo after a few days in London, the mother who wished to remain unnamed stated.

In January, the family used a special deal to book a ticket from London to Cairo for Dh2,000 per person.

“Return tickets from Abu Dhabi to Cairo would have run my family close to Dh20,000. Even though we are still paying a lot, we think it is better value because we get to see London and Portugal.

She stated that they will postpone purchasing their return flights from Cairo to Abu Dhabi until a last-minute price reduction at the end of August.

For families who have to wait a year to return home, it is a significant financial burden, the mother added.

Sharp increase in India flights

Flight costs have also increased to London and India, two locations that traditionally experience heavy summer traffic.

Advait Arya, a student at the University of Warwick in Coventry, told The National that he was astounded by the price difference between a flight from Dubai to London and earlier flights.

“I returned to the UAE for the summer vacation from the UK. I wanted to visit London again the following month, and the cost of the ticket completely astounded me.

For her summer vacation, Shaheeda Abul Khader, an Indian expat, stated she paid Dh2,220 for a one-way airfare from Dubai to Bangalore.

According to Afi Ahmed, CEO and founder of Smart Travel, travel costs to some Indian states, such as Kerala, which is home to the majority of UAE residents, have grown by up to ten times.

The cost to fly from Dubai to Kochi during the off-season ranges from Dh300 to Dh500 (one way), based on the airline. The same tickets could cost up to Dh3,000 or even Dh3,500 over the Eid holidays and at the start of the summer vacation.

An Indian expat with two children, Kiran Kannan, claimed that by purchasing his ticket to Kochi in January, he was able to undercut the costs.

Currently, a round-trip ticket on Air Arabia’s June 28 flight from Abu Dhabi to Kochi costs Dh3,500. The cost of flights to Mumbai on the same dates ranges from Dh2,830 to Dh3,500.

Eid rush

Families seeking a quick getaway will also pay more for tickets during the week-long Eid Al Adha celebrations beginning June 26.

Omar Al Busaidy, an Emirati businessman, expressed his dismay at the prices from Dubai to Muscat more than doubling over the Eid holidays.

Dubai to host IATA AGM 2024

Emirates will host the World Air Transport Summit and the 80th IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM), according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

The event will take place from June 2-4, 2024, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

“We are thrilled to host the aviation industry at the 80th IATA AGM in Dubai in 2024. Dubai is a thriving city with an important aviation hub that links the entire world.

“The United Arab Emirates’ pro-aviation stance has resulted in the development of a strong airline and hub airport.

Together, they have a profoundly good and significant impact on UAE society and the economy.

IATA Director General Willie Walsh stated that holding the AGM in Dubai would serve as “an showcase showing what can be achieved via aviation with government support and decisions.”

The 79th IATA AGM in Istanbul decided to host the 80th IATA AGM.

“The World Air Transport Summit and the 80th IATA AGM will be held at Emirates, which is an honor. Tim Clark, president of Emirates Airline, stated, “We look forward to greeting all our aviation sector colleagues to Dubai in 2024.

The summit of the world’s top aviation executives will be held in Dubai and the UAE for the first time.