I'd go, most definitely. Not right now, but surely in a few years. I'm sure there are tons of Americans who will go to Dubai - and America isn't the only country in the world...

 

This is true

 

I dug around the net for a few hours looking for info on the boom there. I found two sets of responses. The first were individuals giving what almost appeared to be advertisements that looked to be copied straight out of the same place using general themes to sell Dubai. The second were well-reasoned, factual accounts of corruption in the legal and political system, quality problems in the majority of construction and market comparisons to the rise of other cities given by current and former expat residents of the city-state.

For example in 2007, the total constuction of office space in Dubai will be equal to the existing amount of office space in San Francisco. In 2006 it was equal to that in Minneapolis. Say what you will about the future growth prospects of Dubai and the middle east in general, but to imagine there is a justifiable need for as much office space in one year as the whole of San Francisco is ludicrous. Even it were the regional banking and trade center for the entire Middle East, which it's not by wide margin, it would still be ludicrous.

 

... but it looks awesome...

 

DO THEY HAVE BOOZE THERE???

 

Tell it to the Marines.

They know darn well that many countries don't recognize them so stamping a removable piece of paper in lieu of the passport itself would be the appropriate thing to do. Whatever, maybe it's just too risky in this day and age. That's what they did for me though when I wen't to TRNC (Turkish Cypress) since they knew that with a TRNC stamp, you can't travel to Greece.

 

Dubai is positioning itself as a major hub of international air travel. The idea is that airlines travelling to and from the East and West will need a stop-over to refuel and resupply. And Dubai is offering competitive fees and facilities to attract that business. The rest of the area is being grown to accomodate existing business growth and to make the area a more attractive package. Consider it like building London in a decade or two.

I agree with those that are less than dazzled by the money. One real issue I wonder about is what happens when the offices sit 90% empty? What happens when all the construction workers go home? Has the infrastructure in the rest of the region been addressed, or is it a case of a Potemkin village?

I admire the vision, and the people behind the transformation of Dubai certainly don't strike me as ignorant or foolish. I just hope it pans out better than oil booms in other cities, like Houston for example, have done. The idea of becoming an international banking and transportation hub in the Middle East is certainly a smarter idea than just banking on tourism or oil.

 

I dont know how bad it is, I do know a very very poor Indian man (poorer than I think you could fathom) got to Dubai and worked and went back to India and now is middle class with a home, and works lending money.

 

He really is one of few then. It's true that they hold people's passports so that they can not leave. I'm not sure to what extent it reaches though.

 

A pig with lipstick is still a pig. The place is a glorified desert. The laws are strict. No topless beaches. No thanks. Plenty of really great places to go without the hassle's.