Despite a global slowdown in the travel business, hotels in Dubai registered a five percent increase in the number of people in the first half of 2009 to host 3.85 million numbers in comparison with the same period the previous year, said the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) yesterday.

While the five-star beach hotels posted an average occupancy of 90 percent in the first week of August 2009 In July, the total number of GCC tourists who stayed in five, four and three star hotels in Dubai first half year amounted to 64,102, marking an increase of 35 percent over the same period last year.

This significant increase is largely due to the DTCM to promote summer programs, including Kids Go Free, DTCM said in a statement.

“The DTCM of marketing initiatives and promotions, in cooperation with the hoteliers and professionals of the tourism industry, has greatly contributed in achieving the high growth and maintenance of robust tourism economy,” said Khalid bin A Sulayem, DTCM Director General, in a statement.

Dubai currently has a total of 58,147 hotel rooms and apartments, 40,943 hotel rooms and 17,204 hotel apartment floors, the emirate has witnessed a 17 percent increase during the first half of 2008, said DTCM.

What also adds momentum to the hotels in Dubai “guest numbers is the fact that Dubai hotels continue to lead the world in profitability, with net profits, or margins of 35 percent in 2009, according to industry executives .

CBRE Hotels according to the data, the net benefit of five star hotels in Dubai above the rest 30 percent in the second quarter of 2009, while in 2008, the average margin of five-star properties were 35 to 38 percent. And his years, is likely to be between 32 and 37 per cent.

The momentum is likely to remain in the second half of the year, with occupancy levels remaining at optimal levels, according to CBRE Hotels.

Company data show that the occupancy rate of hotels in Dubai for the second half of 2009 is expected to be at 68 percent.

Having witnessed up to 60 percent on average the price of the room for almost a year, Dubai hotels will raise rates by up to 30 percent in the fourth quarter, a senior executive of CBRE Hotels recently told Emirates Business.

Sharjah, on the other hand, reported a 11.8 per cent in the number of guests in the first half of this year. Guest number fell to 671,662 from 761,495 in the period in the same period in 2008, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development (SCTDA) revealed recently.

Click here To Watch The Picture in Full Size…..
Dubai Creek (Arabic: Khor Dubai) is a saltwater creek located in Dubai. This historic focal point of life in Dubai, The Creek, a natural sea-water inlet which cuts through the centre of the city dividing city into two main sections – Deira and Bur Dubai. The eastern and western sections are linked via four bridges (Al Maktoum Bridge, Al Garhoud Bridge, Business Bay Crossing and Floating Bridge) and one tunnel (Al Shindagha Tunnel).

It was along the Bur Dubai creek area that members of the Bani Yas tribe first settled in the 19th century, establishing the Al Maktoum dynasty in the city.

This Picture Taken in 1964. Click here To Watch The Picture in Full Size…..
It is very interesting to see the colour and bustle of the loading and unloading of dhows which still ply
ancient trade routes to places as distant as India and East Africa. The creek remained an important element in establishing the commercial position of Dubai, being the only port or harbor in the city. Dubai’s pearling industry, which formed the main sector of the city’s economy, was based primarily on expeditions in the creek, prior to the invention of cultured pearls in the 1930s.

Click here To Watch The Picture in Full Size…..
The creek’s initial inlet into mainland Dubai is along the Deira Corniche and Al Ras areas of eastern Dubai and along the Al Shindagha area of western Dubai. It then progresses south-eastward through the mainland, passing through Port Saeed and Dubai Creek Park. The creek’s natural ending is at the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) from its origin at the Persian Gulf.

Click here To Watch The Picture in Full Size…..
An attractive way to view the Creek and the dhows is from an abra, one of the small water taxis which criss-cross the Creek from the souks of Deira to those on the Bur Dubai side. Boatmen will also take visitors on a fascinating hour-long trip from the abra embarkation points to the mouth of the Creek and inland to the Maktoum Bridge, passing on the way many of the city’s historic and modern
landmarks.

Click here To Watch The Picture in Full Size…..
At the inland end of the Creek is a large, shallow lagoon, now a wildlife sanctuary which has become a haven for migrating shore birds. Some 27,000 birds have been counted here at one time during the autumn migration. The most spectacular are the many Greater Flamingos which have made the Creek their permanent home.

Click here To Watch The Picture in Full Size…..
An extension of the creek has recently been approved. The extension, which is part of the Business Bay development, will bring the creek all the way around Bur Dubai and into the Persian Gulf. The expansion will initially add 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) to the creek, which will eventually be increased to 12.2 kilometres (7.6 mi) by November 2010. The 10 km extension (which was nearly completed in late September 2007) costs Dhs. 484 million (US$ 132 million).

Click here To Watch The Picture in Full Size…..
Additionally, a new project consisting of seven islands known as The Lagoons was proposed to be built on Dubai Creek. The center piece of this project will the be Dubai Towers Dubai, a set of towers of which the tallest will top 400 metres (1,312 ft) while two others will exceed 300 metres (980 ft).

Some More Cool Collection Of Dubai Creek Pictures-(Click on the Picture To Enlarge)

Map Of Dubai Creek

View Larger Map

The Abras of Dubai Creek

Dubai Creek Development

Dubai Creek Abra Ride

A building boom in the emirate has led to a whole host of chart breakers, in categories including highest apartment, biggest mall, and one of the world’s most unique resorts.

Tourism is also being promoted at a staggering rate with the construction of Dubailand and other projects that include the making of mammoth shopping malls, theme parks, resorts, stadiums and other various tourist Attractions. Dubai is determined to be main contender worldwide in the world tourism industry. Dubai is already a top favorites tourist destination and continues with its outstanding never been done before projects.

The early part of the 21st century is quickly becoming known as the age of Dubai. Many of the world’s most impressive, breathtaking, and startling architectural projects are being constructed in a city.

Some of the Dubai’s engineering master piece are shown as under. I Listed them as 8 Wonders of Dubai:-

Burj-Al-Arab

The Burj Al-Arab is named as “Tower of the Arabs” in Arabic. It is a luxury hotel in Dubai, in the largest city of the United Arab Emirates, which is marketed as “the world’s first seven-star hotel”.
In english “Burj Al Arab” means The Arabian Tower. Burj Al Arab was one of the most expensive buildings ever built. At night, it offers an unforgettable sight, surrounded by choreographed color sculptures of water and fire. This all-suite hotel reflects the finest that the world has to offer.

SKI Dubai

Ski Dubai is the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East and offers an amazing snow setting to enjoy skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing or just playing in the snow. Young or old, there is something for everyone, from the beginner to the snow sport enthusiast.
Ski Dubai is a unique mountain-themed attraction that offers you the opportunity to enjoy real snow in Dubai all year round. Ski Dubai is the Emirates’ latest extravaganza.

Burj Tower

Burj Tower is the largest skyscraper in the world which is currently under construction in Dubai. Burj Tower is the centerpiece of the Gulf regions most prestigious urban development, entitled Downtown Dubai.
Burj is an Arabic word which means ‘Tower’. So, Burj Dubai means ‘Dubai Tower’ or ‘Tower of Dubai’. Its exact height hasn’t been disclosed but it is suggested that it will be over 700 meters tall. Its design was influenced by the six petal desert flower as well as incorporating patterns found within Islamic architecture.

The Palm Islands

The Palm Islands also known as the Palm Dubai and The Palms. The Palm Islands are the three man-made islands in the world. These Palm Islands are built in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Palm islands are considered as the Eighth Wonder of the World.
These islands are built in a shape of a date palm tree and consist of a trunk, a crown with fronds, and are surrounded by a crescent island that acts as a breakwater.

Hydropolis

Hydropolis is the world’s first luxury underwater hotel. It is under construction. Joachim Hauser is the developer and designer of the hotel. He said that Hydropolis is not a project. It is a passion. It has already been compared to both a jellyfish and a sea turtle.
The land on which this project Hydropolis is being built belongs to His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.

Rotating Skyscrappers

The Arab city which has amazing and impressive buildings like palm-shaped islands and the sail-shaped hotel is now going to build a rotating skyscraper.
Rotating Skyscraper is an eclectic skyline and it is a 30-story apartment tower that revolves on its base. The tower will use the Persian Gulf’s abundant sunshine to power the building’s slow rotation that brings it full circle once a week.

Dubai Sports City

Dubai Sports City is the world’s first purpose-built sports city. Dubai Sports city will incorporate state-of-the-art sporting venues and academies along with residential and commercial developments.
Dubai Sports City offer a world class venue for sports events and activities at all levels with a residential lifestyle unrivalled in the region and possibly the world.

DubaiLand

Click here to see the Picture in Full Size……
Dubailand is a part of Dubai Holding. Dubailand is an entertainment complex which is under development in Dubai. Dubailand is a tourism, real estate, hospitality, entertainment, leisure and retail mega project.
Development of Dubailand is divided into six theme worlds. The development is expected to be a full featured city. It is being managed by Dubai Government’s Dubai Development and Investment Authority and is being built to secure Dubai as the premier tourist destination for the Middle East.

Click to See the Picture in Full Size….

Atlantis, the Palm is a resort on the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is a joint venture between Kerzner International Limited and Istithmar PSJC and was completed in September 2008. The architectural design is based heavily on the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas.

Click to See the Picture in Full Size….

The resort consists of two towers linked by a bridge, with a total of approximately two thousand rooms. There are two Palm Jumeirah Monorail stations connecting the resort to the main section of the Palm Jumeirah islands. The resort also includes a water theme park (160,000 square meters), a conference center, and 20,000 square feet (1,900 m2) of retail space.

Click to See the Picture in Full Size….

The resort contains a giant open-air tank with 65,000 fish, stingrays and other sea creatures and a dolphinarium with more than two dozen bottlenose dolphins flown in, amid controversy, from the Solomon Islands.

Click to See the Picture in Full Size….

But the hotel’s top floor aims squarely at the ultra-wealthy. A three-bedroom, three-bathroom suite complete with gold-leaf 18-seat dining table is on offer for £13,000 a night.

Click to See the Picture in Full Size….

Click to See the Picture in Full Size….

Click to See the Picture in Full Size….

Click to See the Picture in Full Size….

Click to See the Picture in Full Size….

Click to See the Picture in Full Size….

Click to See the Picture in Full Size….

The recent unveiling of a plethora of exciting new developments means that Dubai is well on track to achieve tourism targets of 15 million tourists per year by 2015.

Shows such as the recent Arabian Travel Market 2008, which opened to record crowds, provide the emirate with a platform to demonstrate its position as a leading destination for tourism by unveiling a series of awe-inspiring and pioneering new developments. Dubai is successfully diversifying its economy, and considerably increasing investment in infrastructure across a range of sectors pinpointed as crucial drivers in attracting visitors to the emirate.

Ian Scott, director of the UK and Ireland representative office of Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing, comments on the recent unveilings: “Dubai is a destination where you can expect the best, known for its ground-breaking projects the emirate continues to expand its globally acclaimed leisure and business facilities of superlative quality”.

Amongst these inspiring new developments are a number of high-profile and exciting hotel projects. In 2007 there were 452 hotels and apartments in the emirate, and this figure is set to further grow as new developments continue to fuel visitor demand. In tandem with this, room numbers are predicted to swell from 50,306 in 2007 to 63,317 by 2010. This massive growth is reflected in the emirate’s hotel annual occupancy levels which are among the highest in the world, at 84.4 per cent in 2007 and on course to dramatically increase in 2008.

Dubai is aiming to become the world’s leading family destination for the UK and Irish markets by the year 2012, with many new family-orientated projects in the pipeline. Dubailand, which will house 24 theme parks, will be one of the world’s largest leisure attractions covering three billion square feet and twice the size of Walt Disney World Florida. Dubailand’s attractions will include Legoland, opening 2011, The Restless Planet, a dinosaur theme park opening late 2008 and Dubai Sports City featuring large state of the art stadia and sports facilities, the first stage of which is already complete. The Dubailand development will also feature Universal Studios’ Universal City, as well as Six Flags and Marvel Entertainment theme parks.