most travelers end up thinking that Dubai is odd when they get there
one place over all the others, however, that wins the prize for being the most over-hyped city anywhere on the planet
What do you think...
20 October, 2008
Overrated Tourist Destinations
What do you think...
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22 comments:
Dubai is not a bad destination, however it earns some backlash because its fans (some tourists, real estate workers, smugglers) can bear no criticism, feel Dubai is perfect and continually try to prove Dubai is the best and dismiss other destinations for being poor, not having malls, not having Burj Al Arab etc.
As a result you hear Dubai is overhyped, its just a reaction to ultrazealous assertions of Dubai being the best
I like Dubai...sort of not least because it makes me appreciate the rustic charms and polite and safe drivers of Al Ain when I get back to the sticks.
my first reaction at the guy's comments was to laugh out loud. Dubai may have the best brand building team in the world, but to give the emirate its due, it does offer plenty - besides shopping :)
Hemlock: If you were a tourist visiting Dubai for the first time, what would you know to do?
Shopping Malls & Souks, Arabian Adventures Dune Bashing and Big Bus Co Tour appear to be the only things to be advertised and promoted for tourists to do.
The rest is not readily available info to the tourist.
Agree his take on Niagra falls & Ontario/Canada. There's just so much more to Canada than the falls. I mean, you see it, and then there's nothing much to do, aside visiting over priced tourist stalls, booths an' all.
DXB - his take is pretty true, I think. Though, it'd be nice if he spoke more about UAE, instead of hoping over to Oman. UAE has it's charm, especially for those looking to explore the different. To imply, DXB is UAE, is sort of implying LA, Chicago or NYC is America.
NZM, yup true, sadly.
ahhhhhh!
I just made a list of 16 things a tourist could do in Dubai but it got deleted!
Ofcourse my comment was a response to NZM's comment.
I will keep my comment simply!
I just want to say perhaps the things you've mentioned are just the typical things you'd expect from a tourist to go see in Dubai. Trust me there many more, be it in AIR, WATER, or land! :)
Be it food, sports or pure leisure.
I blame it on the lack of marketing but hey... A TRUE TOURIST AT HEART would know how to explore Dubai and see the different side of it.
What is the obessession with
"how dubai sucks"... no wonder people are sad, they think sad thoughts all the time!
I blame the Government here for all the negative feedback generated by tourists. That apart, what appears in that article is spot-on. In other words, with each new passing day, this place is becoming more Westernized in its appearance & ways while ignoring their beautiful heritage, culture & whence they came from!
Let me give you one example. In the two years that we've been here, we've yet to visit a restaurant specializing in Emirati food. Okay, we've picked up stuff from Friday markets, as well as dined at our Emirati friends & colleagues' pads. But how about a real cozy restaurant where diners can truly experience Emirati cuisine & hospitality. In case there's one, please do let me know about it!
Well, we are good in deceiving people !
'I blame the Government here for all the negative feedback generated by tourists.'
Easy Kyle 120,000 travelling, drinking, eating, consuming Brit tourists each year. The second most popular long-haul destination after Florida - there must be something postive being generated...some of them even make it to the glorious Garden City.
Mr. DTP:
Man, I really put my foot in my mouth, didn't I? That apart, I never intended to swing any disrespect towards anybody but most especially towards Brits.
Alrighty, let me clarify what I meant with that (quoted) line. What I intended to say was that the Government should focus more on promoting their heritage instead of their hokey & absurd structures on H2O & land.
mr dtp, I love your garden city - was there this weekend. Loveliest people around, and even though there's not much to do, it's true "countryside" - just with a lot of sand :)
-kyle, which nationality would be waiting on customers in your fantasy Emirati restaurant? Secondly, doesn't the absence of local restaurants prove that foreigners are eroding the culture?
most of the Emirati restuarants suck anyway so no wonder.
We will have one a 5 star one in Bab Al Shams so this could be a good start .....
Beside, we didn't have the luxury to be innovative in our cuisine. What would u expect from nomads in the middle of the desert or fishermen who barely survive? Sushi?
DTP, you a desktop publishing guy
NZM: true that. it took me a while to figure out what all could be done.if i was a typical tourist, id go for a desert safari (with AA), and id go for the dhow buffet dinner on the creek and then id go shopping and that would be all. to truely enjoy a place, you need to look further than a tourist guide.
PE: i personally LOVE thareed and harees... i still have to find a good harees place in dubai; for thareed, i get my friends mom to make me some. :) i like to believe these are emirati dishes.
and seriously, real food would never aspire to be sushi.
PE
There is always the 'Kitchen' in Al Towar.......haha
dxbiangirl: would love to see that list and see how much would be readily accessible to the tourists flying in on 3 day stopovers. Please write it again!
its fareed not thareed
^^ many people I know call it fareed and many others call it threed !
Kyle said:'What I intended to say was that the Government should focus more on promoting their heritage instead of their hokey & absurd structures on H2O & land.'
Couldn't agree more matey but I am not sure whether folk at the Building Site actually know what the heritage and culture are unlike in the culturally rich and varied oasis. Sword dances anyone
Anonymous said: DTP, you a desktop publishing guy
Sorry pal, I'm up in AA and worryingly not sure what you mean. Our Office 95s have only just been upgraded.
Dubai seems to look more like an Indian state to me though...
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