Dubai

===Tourism and retail===
{{See also|Tourism in Dubai|List of tourist attractions in Dubai}}
[[File:Hotel Atlantis at Sunset, The Palm - Dubai (49510861268).jpg|thumb|[[Atlantis The Palm, Dubai|Hotel Atlantis in Dubai]]]]
[[File:Ain Dubai, light show of the ferris wheel located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.jpg|thumb|[[Ain Dubai]]]]
Tourism is an important part of the Dubai government's strategy to maintain the flow of foreign cash into the emirate. Dubai's lure for tourists is based mainly on shopping,<ref>{{cite web | title=Bargain-hunting Fashionistas Descend onto Dubai | url=http://drshem.com/2012/01/05/bargain-hunting-fashionistas-descend-onto-dubai/ | date=17 March 2012 | access-date=17 March 2012 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418063828/http://drshem.com/2012/01/05/bargain-hunting-fashionistas-descend-onto-dubai/ | archive-date=18 April 2012 | df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Shopping in Dubai |url=http://www.gateway-dubai.com/lifestyle-dubai/shopping/shopping-in-dubai/ |work=Shopping Galore in Dubai |date=17 October 2013 |access-date=17 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017113310/http://www.gateway-dubai.com/lifestyle-dubai/shopping/shopping-in-dubai/ |archive-date=17 October 2013}}</ref> but also on its possession of other ancient and modern attractions.<ref>{{cite web |title=104 Attractions in Dubai |url=https://www.holidayfactors.com/travel-blog/places-to-visit-in-dubai/ |date=25 September 2017 |access-date=27 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706161851/https://www.holidayfactors.com/travel-blog/places-to-visit-in-dubai/ |archive-date=6 July 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> As of 2018, Dubai is the fourth most-visited city in the world based on the number of international visitors and the fastest growing, increasing by a 10.7% rate.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/most-visited-cities-in-the-world-2018-9|title=The 20 most visited cities around the world in 2018|last=Murray|first=Tom|website=Business Insider|access-date=17 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119174322/https://www.businessinsider.com/most-visited-cities-in-the-world-2018-9|archive-date=19 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The city hosted 14.9 million overnight visitors in 2016, and is expected to reach 20 million tourists by 2020.<ref>{{cite web|title=14.9 million overnight visitors for Dubai in 2016|url=http://gulfnews.com/business/sectors/tourism/14-9-million-overnight-visitors-for-dubai-in-2016-1.1974824|work=Gulf News|date=7 February 2017 |access-date=29 May 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170529062634/http://gulfnews.com/business/sectors/tourism/14-9-million-overnight-visitors-for-dubai-in-2016-1.1974824|archive-date=29 May 2017}}</ref> A great tourist attraction in Dubai is the [[Burj Khalifa]], currently the tallest building on [[Earth]]. Although, [[Jeddah Tower]] in [[Jeddah]], [[Saudi Arabia]] is aiming to be taller.
[[File:DubaiMallAquariumDSC 7260.JPG|thumb|[[The Dubai Mall]] Aquarium]]
[[File:Dubai fountain during a show (Pixabay).jpg|thumb|[[The Dubai Fountain]] in Burj Khalifa lake, Downtown Dubai]]
Dubai has been called the "shopping capital of the Middle East".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/pictures/efik45ljkd/most-visited-cities-in-the-world-2012-8/ |title=Most Visited Cities In The World 2012 |work=forbes |access-date=2 December 2013 |first=Deborah L. |last=Jacobs |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203011132/http://www.forbes.com/pictures/efik45ljkd/most-visited-cities-in-the-world-2012-8/ |archive-date=3 December 2013}}</ref> Dubai alone has more than 70 shopping centres, including the world's second largest shopping centre, [[The Dubai Mall|Dubai Mall]]. Dubai is also known for the historical [[souk]] districts located on either side of its creek. Traditionally, [[dhow]]s from East Asia, China, Sri Lanka, and India would discharge their cargo and the goods would be bargained over in the souks adjacent to the docks. Dubai Creek played a vital role in sustaining the life of the community in the city and was the resource which originally drove the economic boom in Dubai.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dubai.ae/en/aboutdubai/Pages/DubaiHistory.aspx |title=Dubai History |publisher=dubai.ae |access-date=2 December 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203013549/http://www.dubai.ae/en/aboutdubai/Pages/DubaiHistory.aspx |archive-date=3 December 2013}}</ref> {{as of|2013|September}}, Dubai creek has been proposed as a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?xfile=data/nationgeneral/2013/September/nationgeneral_September157.xml&section=nationgeneral |title=Dubai Creek for World Heritage List |work=Khaleej Times |access-date=2 December 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203004340/http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?xfile=data%2Fnationgeneral%2F2013%2FSeptember%2Fnationgeneral_September157.xml&section=nationgeneral |archive-date=3 December 2013}}</ref> Many boutiques and jewellery stores are also found in the city. Dubai is also referred to as "the City of Gold" as the [[Dubai Gold Souk|Gold Souk]] in Deira houses nearly 250 gold retail shops.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Krane|first=Jim|title=City of Gold: Dubai and the Dream of Capitalism|publisher=St. Martin's Press|date=September 2009|isbn=978-0-312-53574-2|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/cityofgolddubaid0000kran}}</ref>

[[File:Burj Al-Arab (13996844503).jpg|thumb|View of the Palm Jumeirah and [[Burj Al Arab]]]]
Dubai Creek Park in Dubai Creek also plays a vital role in Dubai tourism as it showcase some of the most famous [[tourist attractions in Dubai]] such as Dolphinarium, Cable Car, Camel Ride, Horse Carriage and Exotic Birds Shows.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.capturedubai.com/dubai-creek-park/ |title=Dubai Creek Park |work=Capture Dubai |access-date=12 February 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220210017/http://www.capturedubai.com/dubai-creek-park/ |archive-date=20 February 2016}}</ref>

Dubai has a wide range of parks like Safa park, Mushrif park, Hamriya park, etc. Each park is uniquely distinct from the other. Mushrif park showcases different houses around the world. A visitor can check out the architectural features of the outside as well as the inside of each house.

Some of the most popular beaches in Dubai are Umm Suqeim Beach, Al Mamzar Beach Park, JBR Open Beach, Kite Beach, Black Palace Beach and Royal Island Beach Club. [[Mastercard]]'s Global Destination Cities Index 2019 found that tourists spend more in Dubai than in any other country. In 2018, the country topped the list for the fourth year in a row with a total spend of $30.82 billion. The average spend per day was found to be $553.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.consultancy-me.com/news/2314/at-30-billion-dubai-takes-in-the-most-global-tourist-dollars-by-far|title=At $30 billion, Dubai takes in the most global tourist dollars by far|access-date=6 September 2019|website=Consultancy-ME|date=6 September 2019|archive-date=15 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190915010723/https://www.consultancy-me.com/news/2314/at-30-billion-dubai-takes-in-the-most-global-tourist-dollars-by-far|url-status=live}}</ref>

In October 2019, Dubai loosened its liquor laws for the first time, under which it allowed tourists to purchase alcohol from state-controlled stores. Previously, alcohol was accessible only for locals with special licences. The crucial policy shift came as the [[United Arab Emirates]] witnessed a severe economic crisis that led to a drop in alcohol sales by volume.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hotworldreport.com/world-news/dubai-loosens-liquor-laws-as-uae-alcohol-sales-slump/|title=Dubai loosens liquor laws as UAE alcohol sales slump|access-date=24 October 2019|website=Hot World Report|archive-date=30 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030085950/https://hotworldreport.com/world-news/dubai-loosens-liquor-laws-as-uae-alcohol-sales-slump/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2021, the UAE was ranked amongst 20 most dangerous places for the LGBTQ tourists to visit.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2021/03/23/crime-report-20-riskiest-places-for-gay-travelers-and-the-5-safest/|title=Travel Safety Report: 20 Worst Places For Gay Travelers|access-date=23 March 2022|website=Forbes}}</ref> In 2022, there were cases where a number of LGBTQ tourists who travelled to Dubai faced issues and were deported. In March 2022, a Thai transgender model Rachaya Noppakaroon visited Dubai for her performance at the Expo 2020, was sent back because she identified as a woman while her passport stated her gender as male.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/pkpw4v/transgender-model-dubai-airport|title=Trans Model Says She Was Deported at Dubai Border Because of Her Male Passport|access-date=21 March 2022|website=Vice|date=21 March 2022}}</ref> In another case, a French influencer on [[TikTok]] and [[Snapchat]], Ibrahim Godin was sent back from Dubai, because the authorities assumed his male friend travelling with him as his boyfriend. Ibrahim filed a complaint for "public defamation because of sexual orientation" and an investigation was opened by the [[Vesoul]] police. He said, "Dubai is not all pretty, all rosy as we see on social networks."<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.francetvinfo.fr/societe/lgbt/le-gars-avec-toi-ce-serait-pas-ton-petit-ami-un-influenceur-francais-porte-plainte-apres-avoir-ete-refoule-de-l-aeroport-de-dubai_5201806.html|title="The guy with you, isn't that your boyfriend?": a French influencer files a complaint after being turned away from Dubai airport | access-date=16 June 2022|website=France Info|date=16 June 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tiktok.com/@ibrahim.470/video/7099023722740288773|title=Ibrahim Godin TikTok video about trip to Dubai|access-date=18 May 2022|website=TikTok}}</ref>