Tourism in Dubai: Overcoming Barriers
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TOURISM RESEARCH Int. J. Tourism Res. 8, 87–99 (2006) Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com) DOI: 10.1002/jtr.557
Tourism in Dubai: Overcoming Barriers to Destination Development
Joan C. Henderson* Nanyang Business School, Nanyang Technological University, Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798 ABSTRACT The Middle East as a whole attracts comparatively few visitors, and political events in the current century have generated new uncertainties and tensions which seem likely to further discourage tourists and investors. Additional barriers relate to poor accessibility, a perceived lack of conventional attractions and limited promotion. Despite these apparently unfavourable circumstances, international tourism has been adopted by the Dubai authorities as a core element in a programme of economic diversification. They have invested heavily in expensive facilities, as well as undertaken extensive marketing, and the outcome has been strong growth in tourism. There are great expectations of the future, reflected in the setting of very high arrival targets. However, there are also several constraints that might inhibit progress, with a need to review strategies. The experience of Dubai thus serves to illustrate factors that are critical to destination development, major impediments and approaches to overcoming these. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Received 15 March 2005; Revised 6 July 2005; Accepted 18 January 2006
INTRODUCTION
C
ertain countries of the Middle East have faced exceptional tourism development challenges and continue to do so. Dubai, however, has demonstrated an ability to overcome any of these it shares and establish itself as a relatively popular destination with a high tourism growth rate. It is therefore an interesting example of a more successful Middle East tourism centre that is creating new opportunities and realising its potential. As such, Dubai merits examination and this paper
Tourism in Dubai: Overcoming Barriers to Destination Development
Joan C. Henderson* Nanyang Business School, Nanyang Technological University, Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798 ABSTRACT The Middle East as a whole attracts comparatively few visitors, and political events in the current century have generated new uncertainties and tensions which seem likely to further discourage tourists and investors. Additional barriers relate to poor accessibility, a perceived lack of conventional attractions and limited promotion. Despite these apparently unfavourable circumstances, international tourism has been adopted by the Dubai authorities as a core element in a programme of economic diversification. They have invested heavily in expensive facilities, as well as undertaken extensive marketing, and the outcome has been strong growth in tourism. There are great expectations of the future, reflected in the setting of very high arrival targets. However, there are also several constraints that might inhibit progress, with a need to review strategies. The experience of Dubai thus serves to illustrate factors that are critical to destination development, major impediments and approaches to overcoming these. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Received 15 March 2005; Revised 6 July 2005; Accepted 18 January 2006
INTRODUCTION
C
ertain countries of the Middle East have faced exceptional tourism development challenges and continue to do so. Dubai, however, has demonstrated an ability to overcome any of these it shares and establish itself as a relatively popular destination with a high tourism growth rate. It is therefore an interesting example of a more successful Middle East tourism centre that is creating new opportunities and realising its potential. As such, Dubai merits examination and this paper
References: Int. J. Tourism Res. 8, 87–99 (2006) DOI: 10.1002/jtr 98 Int. J. Tourism Res. 8, 87–99 (2006) DOI: 10.1002/jtr Tourism in Dubai Int. J. Tourism Res. 8, 87–99 (2006) DOI: 10.1002/jtr