Dubai really is becoming the Las Vegas of the Gulf

Bar the gambling and a few other sins, Dubai really is becoming the Las Vegas of the Gulf.

As Dubai sees the further development of its international airport as well as the construction of a bigger and brighter airport in Jebel Ali, it is hard to picture this crazy town before its globalization and rise to glory. A time when people wondered why on earth Dubai needed its own airport when there was one down the road in Sharjah.

Dubai has seen a mammoth transformation from a small trading port in the desert to a post-urban metropolis; to the Vegas of the Middle East. The ruling Maktoum family, have long had a clear vision for the development of Dubai and even though the UAE and the USA are two countries very far apart in distance and culture, it cannot be denied that the brains behind the two uber cities seemingly have a lot in common.

The cultures behind Dubai and Vegas have masterminded two cities flying high on the commercial and tourism radar, serving up glitzy hotels, flashing neon lights, big brash shows, music, clubbing and a general 24 hour shining light in an otherwise barren desert. Gambling and other sins of the West may be banned here but under its glittering surface Dubai is just like any other big city where money can pretty much buy you anything and the sky really is the limit.
Not to be outshone by anyone else though, world records seem to play a big part in Dubai's development - the tallest tower, the biggest hotel, the largest shopping mall and the world's greatest theme park to name but a few. Commercialism is rife here, and Dubai is sailing off the back of its reputation as the next big city in terms of tourism and trade.

There is no surprise that trades such as tourism are being developed to keep the luxury lifestyle afloat and the dream alive, as unknown to many, Dubai has very little oil income of its own. It is its neighbouring Gulf States that are sitting on the oil revenue.

But even without the oil, this city is awash with money. Just like Vegas, Dubai is a fantasy world, a playground and a toy town - but it is a toy town that is actually living and breathing, and allowing many pleasure-seekers to live the dream. (Even though many people have invested their life savings in to a home which hasn't even been built yet!) With Dubai spreading its wings into the sea and building homes on man-made islands and an underwater hotel, the big question is how long will it be before we are laying down the chips in off shore casinos? Only time will tell.

Source: Dubai Selected