Dubai is a destination trendsetter

Dubai’s growth as a global destination icon continues to show no signs of abating, as travellers continue to arrive in increasing numbers to enjoy the multitude of unique experiences available in the world class, cosmopolitan city. 

The destination welcomed 18.72 million arrivals in 2024, representing 9.15% year-over-year increase from 2023. This growth is expected to continue and is supported by Dubai’s 150,000 hotel rooms, with many more developments in the pipeline.

Whether clients are interested in luxury escapes, adventure activities or culinary delights, there are endless possibilities to be entertained in Dubai. Air Canada offers daily non-stop service between Toronto Pearson and Dubai in the Boeing 787 aircraft, making it easy to get to the destination. 

For fashionistas and shoppers, Dubai offers everything from the world’s most luxury brands to more affordable items such as electronics and clothing. The gold souk in Dubai features 380 sellers of gold and jewellery with sparkling window displays that are unrivalled anywhere else in the world. Dubai’s shopping experience caters to every type of traveller on every type of budget and sets the veritable “Gold standard” both figuratively and literally.

Foodies won’t be disappointed while visiting Dubai. Dubai has 19 restaurants that have been awarded Michelin stars, but like anything Dubai offers, there is something for everyone in the food scene for every budget. Street food stalls offer enormous choices, but the cuisines from all over the world are readily available at every price point, making this a family friendly culinary experience.

Naturally, local flavours are highly recommended, and dishes such as Machboos, a fragrant rice dish which can be made with different types of meat or meatless to suit any need, are must tries, with the aromatic flavours of saffron, lime and cinnamon dancing on the palate. Food is never boring in Dubai, and with the welcoming local hospitality, every meal will create unforgettable memories. While there, clients can taste for themselves if the popular Dubai Chocolate is worth the hype. 

Dubai’s offerings keep expanding, giving many tourists reasons to travel there again and again.  

The Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, is an 828-metre behemoth that dominates the city’s skyline. The Burj Khalifa features the Armani Hotel and has an observation deck that gives truly breathtaking views of the city. Visitors gazing upon Dubai from this deck cannot help but be awed by the best in class development of this city.

The Palm is another unique attraction that reflects Dubai’s vision of opulence and engineering ingenuity. The Palm development is an artificial archipelago built in the sea in the shape of a palm frond. A destination in itself, the Palm has private, exclusive residences, numerous excellent hotels and a plethora of dining choices. To see the best view of the Palm, head to the 52nd floor of the Palm Tower and gaze upon a truly remarkable feat of human ingenuity.

For golfers, Dubai has created some hall of fame calibre golf courses, and given the fact that Dubai is in a desert with a very hot climate, this makes their courses even more impressive. Many courses use innovative methods such as treated sewage effluent (TSE) and desalinated water to maintain their pristine environment. The Emirates Golf Club, also known as the “Home of Golf in the Middle East” was the first grass golf club in the region, opening in 1988 and has a second course, the Faldo course, opened in 1996, with professional golfer Nick Faldo consulting on its construction. The Emirates Golf Club holds the world famous Dubai Desert Classic on its first golf course, the Majilis, and is part of the European Tour.

No trip to Dubai is complete without an experience that actually takes place outside the immediate city, known locally as “Wadi Bashing.” This activity involves driving a 4 x 4 vehicle through dried out rocky river beds, known as Wadis, and has been a cherished local activity for decades. Variations of Wadi Bashing include driving 4 x 4 vehicles over sand dunes. Whether off roading on wadis or sand dunes, this is a fantastic option to enjoy the outdoors and combine it with some thrill seeking and adrenaline pumping fun.

Dubai is a remarkable city with very engaging sites and experiences, and it is not difficult to see why travellers return frequently as there is always something else to see or do, the options are just about endless. The beauty of Dubai is that there is something for everyone, families, couples, friends or individual travellers, it is now ensconced as one of the globe’s most versatile destinations.