H: Vicky Letch, host
A: Simon Calder, Travel Expert
B: Ian Scott, Dubai Tourism
H: Today we’re going to be giving you the inside story on a world class family holidays destination that boasts year round sunshine and huge variety of things to do. So sit back, fasten your seat belts – we’re off to Dubai!
Titles
H: Hello and welcome to Travel Talk, I’m Vicky Letch. Now what sort of image does the mention of Dubai conjure up for you? Is it the modern, fast-growing city, the family-friendly resorts or perhaps the luxury hospitality? Or do you think of those desert safaris? Well the possibilities are indeed endless, and it’s closer to the UK than you might think, just a 7 hour flight away. Joining me to share their first-hand experience of this Emirate is travel expert Simon Calder and Ian Scott from Dubai Tourism; welcome to you both, thank you very much for joining
A: Hello
H: I like how Simon’s nodding away, yes, yes I agree with everything you’re saying! So this is what’s coming up on the show today – how to get there and what to do once you are there. Hours of fun for the whole family and of course all your questions will be answered here live. So don’t forget this is a live show, so if you have any questions or comments for Simon or Ian, please use the box on your screen and click send, and if you are Tweeting whilst watching the show just use the # Studiotalk and we’ll try and give you a mention. So Ian let’s kick off with you – when did Dubai emerge as this leading holiday destination? Give us some background information
B: Yes I mean the last 10 years it really came onto the map, but if we rewind a little bit, probably maybe 30, 40 years ago, oil was discovered in late ‘60s and prior to that it was a trading village, you know people were diving for pearls and that’s how they made money. Selling ships to India and beyond, but then we found oil and that changed pretty much everything. However I think the interesting thing with Dubai is that oil is pretty limited, it’s not like some of our neighbouring emirates and so we as an emirate, the ruling family identified tourism as one of the key, you know for the future growth of the economy, Dubai – tourism was pivotal and today tourism is about 30% of the economy in Dubai, oil is less than 5%, so it just puts it into perspective
H: Yes it really does
B: So tourism over the last 5, 10 years has gone crazy actually in Dubai yes
H: And you’re actually – Dubai tourism has commissioned some research – what did you find out?
B: Well what we’ve done is we’ve spoken to about 1000 children because we know that families come to Dubai but we wanted to just investigate a little bit deeper what children want from a holiday, and clearly they influence the choice of destination
H: Yes
B: I think all parents know that, but what we found which is quite interesting is children want more from their holidays you know the day of sandcastles and just a beach and just a swimming pool, I think those days are sort of dwindling away, and the children are saying we want a bit more adventure, we want excitement, we want deeper experiences, and that might be culture, that might be a bit of action adventure, but you know sun and sea and sand is still very important but kids want more than that these days
H: Yes I totally agree, I agree with you there. Now Simon, you’ve been because you’ve been everywhere! What first attracted you to going to Dubai in the first place?
A: I think it was probably a lot of people in this position, it was a possible stopover, so I thought well why not? And in fact the first time I stayed there was only for 24 hours but it completely opened my eyes, and the great thing is that was nearly 20 years ago, so before you were born, and yet I’ve been back there pretty much most years since then, and the core of the city, I really love the souks, the wonderful Bastakiya Quarter, this ancient kind of merchant settlement, still very much the same but of course beyond it and the city has gone absolutely wild, and it’s – I think the way that you’re getting an increasing number of dimensions, man-made as well as the great natural appeal of course, and I did this the very first time I went there, going out to the desert, yes so from all points of view many, many dimensions which is the key I think to a good family holiday
H: Yes absolutely, truly something for everyone, but before we discuss this in any more detail let’s have a look at Dubai in action
Video Footage
H: Well you can’t deny its beauty, it looks absolutely fantastic but Ian I’m going to play devil’s advocate, I’m sure there are some people that still say 3400 miles is a little bit too far, so how long does it take to get there and how easy is it for us to get flights from regional airports as well as London?
B: Yes, the flight time is about 7 hours – 6 1/2 -7 hours but you know it’s a very short time difference when you get there so there’s little jet lag
H: Yes
B: In terms of accessibility, we have about 19 direct flights a day right now. 40 with Emirates but you’ve also got British Airways; you’ve got Virgin Atlantic and Royal Brunei. Most of those from London but we do also have Manchester, London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Newcastle so absolutely from a flexibility perspective it’s from all over the UK
H: Yes and I think 7 hours these days is nothing
B: Absolutely
H: I think it’s quite relaxing
B: Even with kids it’s fine
H: I agree. What about, where am I staying Simon?
A: Ah –
H: What can I choose from?
A: They’ve got everything from really good quality budget hotels, and that’s really a fascinating way that that’s developing, of course to the 7 star Burj Al Arab, this beautiful –
H: Yes please
A: Sail-shaped symbol of Dubai which is marvellous and the amount they’re building is phenomenal. The great thing is, from a competition point of view, Ian was just talking about the many different competing airlines, that keeps air fares low and the competition between the hotels keeps hotel rates low and standards very high indeed, so really whatever price bracket you want to choose, you’re absolutely guaranteed excellent quality
H: Fantastic thank you. What a meaty part one of the show, I enjoyed that, that was great. Stay where you are though because in part two we’re going to be having a look at all the family fun you can have in Dubai
Break
H: Hello. If you’ve just joined us we are live and interactive, so if you have any questions for our guests on anything related to Dubai at all, please use the box on the screen and then in part 3 we’ll answer as many as we possibly can. Now, Simon do you think it’s a common misconception with these up and coming places, these growing destinations that you could lack on the cultural front? What could we expect from Dubai on that level?
A: Whatever you want you can find it there and that’s the great thing. I think on the cultural front it is a really good opportunity to kind of open a window, particularly for children, my daughters are aged 7 and 10 and that is just marvellous because you can, for example, take them to a mosque, not just any mosque, the Jumeirah mosque, the biggest in Dubai, where they have properly organised and absolutely fascinating tours, which will show you what the various rituals associated with worship, and also explain an awful lot more and answer some misconceptions about Islam. On top of that of course you’ve got the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding in the Bastakiya Quarter, that’s a really good place. You can even go for a cultural breakfast which is a lovely way to tune in to what’s going on. And there’s great museums which show how for instance, you know, of course pretty much everywhere indoors is air conditioned now in Dubai, but they’ve got these wind towers where they show this was – this is natural air conditioning, so huge amounts, but frankly if all you want is fun, if you want to go skiing, if you want to go to, you know marvellous water parks, if you want to go to an aquarium, you can do that as well
H: Sounds like a wonderful playground, I can’t wait to go. Well known for big attractions, we know this, but if I were to make my very first trip there Ian, what would I have to see, what would be my must-sees?
B: It depends who you’re going with I guess, but the cultural side I think is fascinating, if you go down to the Old Town, take an Abra across the creek and see the hustle and bustle of the Souks, that I think is a must-see. I’d also go into the desert; you know get behind a 4 x 4 and do a bit of sand duning out there
H: Oh I would love that, that would be great fun
B: That’s good fun, and you can even go skiing in the sand in the desert, and then come back, go to the Mall of the Emirates and ski on snow down there, put yourself in a big, inflatable ball and go down a mountain that is called Zorbing, we call that. Go down the beach, relax, you know the beach is stunning as well. But also if you’ve got families go back over towards Dubai Mall and in there you’ve got Kidzania which is a city designed just for children. Outside the Dubai Mall you’ve got the Dubai Fountain which is spectacular, that’s set to the base of the tower that I think you alluded to before, you know the world’s tallest tower where you have Armani in that hotel as well, so it depend on who you’re going with and what you want to do, but the breadth of product is breathtaking actually
H: I’ve got a lovely vision there of me just shopping all day and the other half rolling around in a massive ball! That is perfect
B: It’s possible
H: And it’s possible! Stay where you are because in part 3 we’re going to be taking all of your questions
Break
H: If you’ve just joined us, I’m here with Simon Calder and Ian Scott, talking about the unique – so very unique holiday destination that is Dubai, so let’s now take some of your questions. This one is from Jim in Belfast, thank you very much Jim, he says “how good is the exchange rate generally and is it expensive when you get there?”
A: Ok so a couple of points here Jim, first one is that the exchange rate has improved in recent months. Basically the UAE Dirham is locked to the US Dollar, so whatever happens to the Dollar, it effects how much you get for your pound. If you go back 3 years yes Sterling was the strongest currency on the planet, that then sank very alarmingly. It’s now come back which means you are getting better value, but crucially because there’s no VAT in Dubai, because there is so much competition between everybody from restaurateurs to hotels and shops and so on, you are going to get phenomenally good value. So it was, I think it’s fair to say Ian, couple of years ago it could be an expensive destination. Now you know reality has kicked in and everybody has to offer good value
B: That’s right
H: Great. Thank you very much. Let’s take another one then, this one from David, thanks David – “Dubai is well known as a playground for the rich and famous. Is it possible for an average family to enjoy a holiday there without costing the earth?” I think that’s a good question because lots of people would be desperate to go, but budget concerns these days –
B: Yes and you know there’s lots of things- one again the range of accommodation so if you want to stay in the Burj Al Arab you can do, or the Armani, they’ not cheap hotels, but we’ve got self-catering, we have all inclusive, over in Jebel Ali area there’s a new all inclusive opening in January as well. Hotels like Jumeirah which is down on the beach, they’ve got half board promotions right now, which can save a family an awful lot of money, but also just by wandering around you can find that just by stepping one street back off the main sort of – main track if you like, there are many, many restaurants there which are not necessarily part of hotel chains and it makes it much more affordable, and again for families all these attractions that we spoke about before are very, very inexpensive. Even like the Dubai Fountain ,that’s a spectacular experience and it costs nothing to stand and watch that. You can have dinner in a restaurant overlooking that which is perfectly affordable, even by UK standards
H: Lovely. And Simon I know I’ve met you several times before and I would say one of your messages that always comes across is do your research. If you are on a budget, look into those great deals, they are out there
A: Yes and there’s all kinds of sources, very very good guide books now to the UAE and to Dubai. In particular of course it’s well worth having a look online. Definitely Dubai.com is the tourist-facing website
H: Yes
A: That’s got all kinds of information about – to help you plan your trip, and yes just make sure that you make the most of this destination because a lot of people, maybe they’ll just think oh great beach, we’ll stay there, but you’re missing so much if you don’t just explore what Dubai has t offer
H: Absolutely. So we have time for one more quick question, Bob thank you very much. Glad it was a short name, running out of time! “Is Dubai geared up for kids?”
B: For sure. I mean a few years ago it was aimed primarily at the couples market, honeymoons, the fine dining, the spas, all that kind of stuff. And that’s still there in abundance, but right now honestly the product Aquaventure on the Palm, with Atlantic has put the family market firmly on the map in Dubai, but also Wild Wadi at Jumeirah beach, the things that we talked about in Dubai Mall, the skiing, the – it’s just – the options actually as a family, I’ve taken my children there before
H: Yes
B: It’s an amazing family experience
H: Brilliant, thank you both so much for a wonderful insight. I’m desperate to go! For more information about anything that we’ve discussed today do visit the website – do you want to do the website again?
A: I can do that, definitelydubai.com
H: Beautiful! Until next time, goodbye.
