Travellers stopping in the UAE need to know the rules

Australians are confused about what to expect of a visit to the UAE. This is a shame, for both countries

A lot more of my fellow Australians are on their way to the UAE, thanks to new commercial relationships between airlines in the two countries.

These arrangements, between Qantas and Emirates, and Virgin Australia and Etihad, have been welcomed in Australia, because they significantly reduce travel time on the very-long-haul "kangaroo route" to London from the east-coast cities of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

The question is: how many of the travellers will just be in transit, and how many will break the journey and stay in the UAE for a few days?

Tourism authorities in this country are, surely, hoping that large numbers will stay a few days.

And there's good reason why they should. The UAE has everything Australians look for: golden beaches, acclaimed restaurants and resorts, a variety of family attractions and unique cultural experiences.

However, the reputation of the UAE as a tourist destination has been tarnished by negative commentary in the Australian media, some of it raising legitimate issues, some of it fuelled by ignorance or bigotry.

Much of the coverage surrounding the Qantas-Emirates deal has revolved around concerns that Australians, particularly young adults, could get into legal trouble during layovers in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

Some commentators have seized upon recent UAE court verdicts to make their point. The case of an Australian woman jailed for swearing at an undercover policeman at Dubai airport received particular attention. So did the conviction of two westerners over a sex act in the back seat of a taxi.

While the Australian media is right to be concerned about the fate of citizens abroad, some of the coverage bordered on the hysterical.

Little attention was given to the fact that swearing at a police officer, and having sex in public, are both illegal in Australia also, albeit with different punishments.

The commentary on potential pitfalls for travellers has been less than nuanced, with some writers warning Australians against coming to the UAE at all.

One pundit was even outraged that Qantas would not be serving pork products on its flights to and from the UAE, giving rise to the tabloid headline: "Pigs can't fly!" (The small print told the real story: Qantas has always had different menus on different routes, taking into account each destination's cultural, religious and culinary traditions.)

Other Australian commentators have speculated about potential problems for unmarried couples who want to share a hotel room, the laws concerning alcohol consumption, eating during Ramadan, and expectations about clothing, especially for women.

All chatter creates a challenge for the airlines, and for the Australian and UAE authorities. There is clearly a need for them to take this initiative by providing tourists with unambiguous information that will minimise their chances of unintentionally breaking the law or offending local customs.

There are precedents for this. Few Australians have entered Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia or Thailand without knowing that drug offences can lead to long prison terms or even the death penalty in those countries. Warnings are issued along with passports, and often reiterated on in-flight videos.

But when it comes to the UAE, the correct message isn't yet getting through the haze of exaggeration and misinformation.

The alarmist media coverage is having an effect. A friend in Brisbane recently told me that she would never visit the UAE because she was afraid of being thrown into jail for a "random" offence.

If potential tourists, from Australia or elsewhere, are being put off by what is being said in their local media, or by partially informed friends, then those negative messages must be countered with facts from reliable official sources.

That message must be that the laws and traditions are different, but responsible and respectful travellers should not encounter any problems if they behave in a modest way.

The UAE has a lot to offer Australians, who are among the world's most enthusiastic and adventurous globetrotters. The problem is that many Australians are concerned, or at least confused, by what they have heard or read - and that means too many of them will never venture beyond the transit lounges at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports.

On Twitter: @debritz