BY MIKE DUNPHY
Rising almost magically out of the Arabian Desert on the coast
of the Persian Gulf, Dubai can appear a mirage, not unlike the
Emerald City of Oz. Certainly, the city of three million people
continues to lure millions of travelers from around the world
to its glittering attractions, starting with the tallest building in
the world, The Burj Khalifa. Indeed, with acres of super luxury
shopping, dining, and accommodation — including some of
the world’s most famous hotels — its roads can sometimes
seem paved in yellow gold bricks.
Bling, of course, is one of the main attractions of Dubai,
making the city a quasi-Vegas of the Middle East that
serves primarily to entertain, dazzle, and profit from the
approximately 15 million tourists who arrive each year.
It’s helped along by a relatively permissive environment
regarding dress, alcohol, and entertainment, plus a significant
population of expats. For shoppers, the massive indoor malls,
brimming with every luxury brand in the world and grandiose
amenities like an indoor ski resort, are the main attraction.
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