The city of Dubai is famous for its population density, luxury, and constant action. But, all of a sudden, this city feels peaceful – almost deserted!
Tourism is supposed to be at its height right now; however, there are many signs showing that tourism has decreased significantly compared to what would usually be expected at this time of year. Locations where you would typically find hundreds of thousands of tourists are now eerily still. Beaches, shopping malls, and waterfront areas appear to all appear to be less animated than usual.
For the past few weeks, reports have been received that tens of thousands of people have vacated (insert name of country here). Many of these people left as a result of an increasing conflict in the Middle East due to increased tensions between Iran, the US, and Israel.
Flight travel has decreased throughout the Middle East, creating severe travel restrictions for tourists trying to arrive in Dubai. Flight cancellations limit the ability of current tourists in Dubai to return home.
As the number of incoming tourists decreases, and the number of outgoing tourists increases, the balance has tipped quickly.
There have been many popular tourist areas in Dubai, such as Al Seef at Dubai Creek and the nearby beaches, that are not busy due to the large amount of local and international tourism that has disappeared from the city.
The lack of tourism in these areas has been evident in some of the following ways – there are thousands of empty tables in restaurants, less crowded nightclubs, and more space than usual in large shopping malls where there were previously large crowds.
Concerns over safety have been heightened recently by various attacks using both drones and missiles and the associated risks from tensions in the region, although the bulk of all incoming hostile fire has thus far been intercepted using the UAE’s missile defense system. Many hundreds of drones and ballistic missiles have been shot down successfully based on reported data.
Though this means most all attacks are intercepted, the thought of instability has caused many would-be tourists to rethink their travel plans for the UAE. A number of governments, including the UK, are warning their citizens against travelling to the UAE unless necessary.
Those in the UAE are currently deciding whether to stay or leave the emirate. Though a limited number of commercial flights are nominally still operating, there is considerable uncertainty with respect to many airlines having either greatly reduced or completely eliminated service to Dubai, thereby complicating the travel plans of many customers who are presently in Dubai.
Because Dubai’s economy primarily relies on tourism, hospitality & international business as sources of income, as opposed to countries nearby that primarily rely on revenues from oil exports, any reduction in the number of tourists directly results in financial pressure on the economy, which is compounded further by the UAE, which has a higher per-capita-income than its neighbouring states.
If the situation continues to progress over the next few weeks as it has during recent months, experts have stated the effects could spill out of tourism into other industries, including aviation, real estate and global financial systems.
The actions being taken by major banks and other financial institutions who are relocating employees within the UAE much less than 12% of Dubai based employee working with these organisations reflects on how serious they consider the recent developments occurring globally.
In speaking with one British expat who has lived in Dubai for more than ten years, he describes the city as having a disturbing lack of vibrancy based upon uncertainty and tension whenever he walks about the city.
Many tourists and foreign nationals are already returning back to their home countries – and some have stated an unwillingness to return until they can confirm that there is a safer alternative travel location available to them.
Government Officials continue to communicate to their constituents that there are ongoing measures of safety in place, and that their defence systems are working effectively. In addition — they are trying to combat the misinformation campaign being waged against Dubai – by advising their citizens and the general Public of possibly having the legal consequences of any panic-inducing communication made via online platforms.
The hope therefore, of government officials, is to maintain the positive outlook and to communicate any incidents of ‘loud explosions’ as an example of proving an ongoing fever of protection, in lieu, of an increasing danger level.
Dubai’s past reputation as a ‘safe, luxurious and energetic global Destination’ is drastically changing because of the current calmness of Dubai expat and Tourist population levels in Dubai during peak global travel period shows just how quickly an event can create radical changes to resident and non-resident population levels in the most resilient of cities across the world.
As compared to the way it usually appears, ‘the city is definitely quieter than anyone would have imagined.
