Dubai's thriving tourist industry is based on guaranteed sunshine, a clean and safe environment, bargain shopping and superb sporting facilities, especially for golf and watersports.

A long ribbon of development alongside the Gulf, extending south and west of Dubai city to Jebel Ali offers an impressive range of coastal hotels and resorts. The recreation and sporting complex en route to Jebel Ali includes a golf course and an all-grass cricket pitch. Freshwater lakes can also be seen here, full of Japanese carp.

The emirate has many well-qualified tour companies offering such activities as desert safaris by 4-wheel drive, sand-skiing, moonlit bedouin barbeques, camel riding and dhow cruises.

Hotels

Most of the major international hotel chains are represented, ie Forte, Hilton, Hyatt, Inter-Continental, Marriott, Ramada and Sheraton. There are also top-class beach resort hotels at Jebel Ali and Jumeirah Beach Hotel and a mountain resort hotel at Hatta Fort. Confirmation of reservation by fax is necessary.

Sightseeing

The ancient fortressed village of Hatta and Wadi Hatta is a lush and attractive valley in the foothills of the Hajar Mountains with superb desert scenery on the journey from Dubai.

Events

The Dubai World Cup (the world’s richest horse race), the PGA Desert Classic Golf Tournament, Dubai Shopping Festival and more than 80 major trade exhibitions are among the high-profile events attracting business and leisure visitors to the city each year.

Golf

Dubai has been declared the number one golf destination worldwide, by the International Golf Tour Operators Association. The Emirates Golf Club, Dubai, which opened in 1988, was the first grass golf course in the Gulf. In addition, there is also the Abu Dhabi Golf Club (whose facilities include two 18-hole grass courses and a floodlit driving range), Dubai Creek Golf Club and the Nad Al Shiba Golf and Racing Club.

Watersports

Boats and water-skiing equipment are available for hire. Sailing and windsurfing are popular around Dubai and boats are available for hire. The waters off Dubai are considered among the best areas in the world for diving. There are sub-aqua clubs in main centres and an extensive range of equipment is available for hire. Swimming is possible in the many hotel pools or beaches. There is an abundance of game fish in the Gulf. Fully-equipped boats with crew can be hired from the Jebel Ali Hotel marina for deep-sea fishing trips.

Spectator Sports

Boat racing for about 30 rowers is a traditional sport that is becoming increasingly popular. Camel- and horseraces are also held at various race tracks. Football has become more popular and can be seen in most large towns and there are three thriving rugby clubs in Dubai. Falconry is extremely popular among Arabs.

Horseriding is available at several riding centres, and rides through the desert are organised regularly. Many hotels and clubs have tennis courts and there are squash courts in main centres. Bowling alleys can be found in hotels and clubs.