To not get why people hate Dubai so much?

[Cutitup]

What is there to hate?

I think it's a great place to have a holiday. Great restaurants, great service, fab shopping and spa treatments.

I do understand the problems of domestic and construction staff being exploited but this is not a problem unique to Dubai. I just don't get the vitriol, the 'it has no culture' etc.. I say get out of the bitter farm and play with the hay!

[Lisavarna]

"Also the desert outside Dubai is beautiful. I know I mentioned shopping and spa treatments (which I admit sounds shallow) but I simply can't afford to have those goodies here."

OP I think if you can afford to holiday in Dubai in the first place, then chances are you can well afford shopping and spa treatments and other "such goodies" in the UK/

[Cutitup]

Yes, you all have valid points. I get that. However, you could also pin those accusations on a lot of holiday destinations (Jamaica, Mauritius, Maldives) yet they don't draw the same vitriol.

I just don't get why Dubai gets so shot down.

I don't need anyone's permission to go there, Sallyforth. I'm just asking a question. I don't feel in the least bit guilty for going there.

Exploited migrant workers (who are sometimes victims of human trafficking) exist in this country too. Remember the atrocious case of the Chinese cockle pickers? They were in servitude as are so many others in this country.

[JonahB]

I went for a work visit and loathed it. It's soulless. Shopping and restaurants that you can find in any major city are not an appeal to me. A beach isn't really a pull as you can find them all over the world. The only bit I enjoyed was the night we wandered into the migrant part of town that was full of life. I just can't see the attraction and would never pay to go. Each yo their own though. I know people who really liked it.

[caramelwaffle]

You're not an intern doing a stint for TryDubai are you - Trying to sell the place to us poor rich saps?

[ILetHimKeep20Quid]

I've been 6 times (breaking up travel to se Asia, much easier to deal with the jet lag when you take a night or two out half way) and it's fine.

I've worn a bikini on the beach (you can, any day you want) and never set foot in a mall. The deria creek area is bustling with tradition and ancient mosques (so hardly spiritually devoid). As big cities go it's not bad and conveniently located.

But people like to harrumph about something or somewhere don't they? Wonder where they all holiday that's so ethically sound.

I agree the ex pat thing is wanky, but there's wanker ex pat communities all over. Fact is a lot of ex pats are wankers and only living abroad as they wouldn't earn, and aren't worth, the money here.

[WilsonFrickett]

Yes op but their servitude was illegal. That is the difference. The Chinese cockle-worker case was completely shocking - over there it wouldn't be shocking at all because migrants have no rights. Here, if you are in the country legally then you are entitled to the same protection as a uk born person (give or take a few notice periods for benefits).

But you're mind isn't up for changing, is it?

[ILetHimKeep20Quid]

The most extravagant and indulgent activity we done was a day at the water park which is aaaaammmaaaazing!

[wimblehorse]

Partly because the other destinations you mention became luxury travel destinations over a longer period of time, due to their natural beauty rather than the mercenary drive for tourist dollars & the man-made feature to attract them at the expense of immigrant Labour?

[FreudiansSlipper]

i do not like the way workers are treated in many countries. i have travelled extensively and never seen such a divide and the show of wealth against the mistreatment of workers is just shocking

the difference is we have laws to protect people and people breaking those laws will be prosecuted (at times). in dubai the government and the people do not care about migrant workers they are lesser humans because they are desperate humans

not sure what you are arguing about, you like to go there you can happily turn a blind eye to the terrible exploitation because you enjoy the goodies you get there so what do you want everyone to agree with you

[ILetHimKeep20Quid]

Where do you holiday Freudian?

[MacaYoniandCheese]

No culture? What about the Bedouins and falconry and the fascinating history of Islam and animal husbandry? What about the amazing feats of modern architecture and engineering and the souks and the serene and beautiful mosques? What about the oases and pearl diving and the serenity of the desert? What about the cuisine of the Middle-East and the lovely people? The world-class schools and the ability to secure the livelihoods of thousands of expatriate construction workers who may otherwise be unable to support their families?

[cardamomginger]

I'm all for a bit of shallow every now and then. Great service, great restaurants, fantastic shopping, amazing spas. Yeah - what's not to like!?! But Dubai is not just a moral vacuum, it is the antithesis of morality. The entire edifice is steeped in the suffering and mistreatment of the as-good-as-slave workers who built it and who service it. Why would anyone want to pay money into that economy and into a system that perpetuates and depends upon such appalling inequalities?

[FreudiansSlipper]

last holidays were in spain, italy, turkey, australia and sri lanka

i have been to many countries where workers are exploited i do not deny that they are poor countries many people are desperate (thailand, india, cambodia, vietnam) but not like in dubai, it is not a poor country

[Weegiemum]

Slave treatment of workers, totally sexist society.

I wouldn't even want to stop over there if I could avoid it.

Ghastly.

[FreudiansSlipper]

and the usa

[Cutitup]

Wilson - please don't assume anything about me. Of course my mind is open to what you're all saying. That's why I asked the bleeding question!

I first visited Dubai in 2001 so I have seen it change from a desert town to a booming metropolis. I can't say all the changes have been good but you have to applaud their ingenuity and capitalism. Dubai has no oil (not really) so they've had to build on tourism which they have succeeded in doing in most part, by creating a world-beating airline and a city which people want to visit.

British expats are as bad in Dubai as they are in Hong Kong, or the Cayman Islands (eugh!) or Nairobi in the 70s.

But why is Dubai singled out. That is my question. Why not Jamaica? Do you not think the locals in Kingston Town get pissed off that tourist money is spent at the Sandals resort only and not among the wider population of the city?

[nowahousewife]

What wilson said, the cockle pickers were in an illegal situation and from memory their 'slavemasters' were convicted. In Dubai the government condones bonded labourers. Have you read the newspapers when you've been there OP? Have you not seen the advts from companies who's labourers who have gone AWOL? These advts have a picture of the missing labourer along with their name and passport number (which the company is holding) as well as other details, horrible.

Also what about the v young boys that get used as camel jockeys, what do you think happens to them once they are too big to ride camels?

Also find it a very boring place (and yes I've been to the creek, markets etc).

[MrsOakenshield]

can I ask OP - did you google 'ecology Dubai'? Because it really doesn't make good reading, the effect that all their ingenuity and capitalism has had on the environment.

[topicsactiveimon]

It's always seemed to me a shopping-and-spa kinda destination. And I don't like shopping and spa treatments.

Now Jordan... I love Jordan. You don't have to 'seek out' culture.

[WetAugust]

Oh dear. You really don't get it do you OP?

[AuldAlliance]

Just out of curiosity, why would Mauritius be open to the same criticisms?

[FayeKorgasm]

'Goodies' really?