![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FVP36X4QZZ3UAVFHUAWZW2BGZA.jpg?smart=true&auth=3fb7e570ee6c1464b38741e4974962ac67309c5dc8f7ed675cd6c4c722a70391&width=400&height=225)
The Atlantis Hotel on the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. Jeff Topping / The National
Dubai's skyline. Reem Mohammed / The National
Ain Dubai, on Bluewaters Island. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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Artwork displayed on Burj Khalifa celebrating the UAE’s 50th National Day. Pawan Singh / The National.
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The interior of the Dubai Frame. Victor Besa / The National.
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Dubai Garden Glow. Victor Besa / The National.
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Seagulls at the Jumeirah beach near the Burj Al Arab hotel. Pawan Singh / The National
Dhows unloading and loading items by Deira's Spice Market. Reem Mohammed / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Z7B7GEFA2NGFVJPAULHZ6NT4UM.jpg?smart=true&auth=fed91cb886e482e0e787d452de51d9ad260c462a721c7fa3df79f5cf1740586a&width=400&height=225)
A light show at the Al Wasl Plaza, Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National.
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Shoppers and vendors in the Gold and Spice Souk area of Deira in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
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Tourists view and buy jewels at the famous gold shops in the Gold Souk. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3KAR3VY2YDPAGAL2GXXF47Y4JM.jpg?smart=true&auth=bb8dad2b799237d9411b9f026011841a00d73e710ad11be8ff662ae9e09eade1&width=400&height=225)
Tourists visit the Dubai Museum in Bur Dubai. Paulo Vecina / The National
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For many, Deira and the creek, the Khor Dubai, with its dhow moorings, water taxis and souks, is the very essence of the old city. Sarah Dea / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JHGGRMHCMY6KBDVPSGKCT7KTIE.jpg?smart=true&auth=679e31e00daac639b85a345c7464526ac72530a4fd5cef56acab602b6f49a3a4&width=400&height=225)
The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, in Al Bastakiya. Dubai Tourism
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Goods on display outside the shop at Old Souk in Bur Dubai. Pawan Singh/The National
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Aura Sky Pool, the world’s first 360° infinity pool, on the Palm. Victor Besa / The National.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TLBPWFSMIBDBTJS2DIK5QYOYUU.jpg?smart=true&auth=fd3c6a001b07ad14d949b7a43888609defde2afea86b37b94992f603e5389368&width=400&height=225)
The aquarium at Dubai Mall draws a huge number of visitors every year. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UMJUNCAX65AU7ASML2RJKJHWDA.jpg?smart=true&auth=5f38f7af6b81f0b31f8a943cb41c0f295f2f3b58ee939527f605f9cee5f952f1&width=400&height=225)
Exterior view of Dubai Mall. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4I6VZ23JXC344TEROYOVYWM2XQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=0ddffd4cb94d4c5a2d9564ffb7ec8836125e3e0cf5f9809fd4cf0d2682a740fb&width=400&height=225)
The outdoor terrace at Honyaki in Madinat Jumeirah, overlooking the Burj Al Arab. Photo: Jumeriah Group
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GOUVLGAON6PPYDD4S6YWF37C4A.jpg?smart=true&auth=3399fc6df73f512cb1f82359a69d4ebddbeebd76b6039a64e9b52728276e6e66&width=400&height=225)
A tourist takes a selfie at JBR beach near the Ritz Carlton hotel in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YS3PB2IV7DQLCSNO53ZLEZ7FWM.jpg?smart=true&auth=a90b3b0725b531c8caaabbbdb7b706292af2f5a2c3e874fcf47f8ded1f385fa7&width=400&height=225)
Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GGUF37KIUNBG3O4HPVIRHAET24.jpg?smart=true&auth=269f3f4257fa325838649b552fa34e6549036b792a738cf8164f9f41d674df5c&width=400&height=225)
Children at Ski Dubai Photo: Ski Dubai
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WLCYVIZDXODKCDZYZ7PXGYQWJ4.jpg?smart=true&auth=2f3db8b1388db3da1fe96ad49aa1ec4ff731f5f58749469053da68345dfe75b2&width=400&height=225)
Ski Dubai, in Mall of the Emirates, in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FVP36X4QZZ3UAVFHUAWZW2BGZA.jpg?smart=true&auth=3fb7e570ee6c1464b38741e4974962ac67309c5dc8f7ed675cd6c4c722a70391&width=400&height=225)
The Atlantis Hotel on the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. Jeff Topping / The National
Dubai's skyline. Reem Mohammed / The National
Ain Dubai, on Bluewaters Island. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WDUTDAV33RCRVPFP65O274BUNE.jpg?smart=true&auth=2e1808e71eb7f9503c5e9dfc9cb240b29690f469490694ff249c39431b59aa89&width=400&height=225)
Artwork displayed on Burj Khalifa celebrating the UAE’s 50th National Day. Pawan Singh / The National.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TLL7KVISKKIDJB3FTHIPHHBYYA.jpg?smart=true&auth=566fc2ded699af89d21c2bb4502f79143bc8bcf28ee762871ad000b461dd902c&width=400&height=225)
The interior of the Dubai Frame. Victor Besa / The National.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/23GQ5JVIYJDWFPOTNUGN4ZP47U.jpg?smart=true&auth=9fe5c9fcec6ce2028299f95851b253af911fdcf10ecf01ce415ebc4af4edf3c0&width=400&height=225)
Dubai Garden Glow. Victor Besa / The National.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LSVGIIDOWZDB3GMF5SXWW6EG5E.jpg?smart=true&auth=359fc96327fa8af28d2f47b73279deca9c9e81453405c7789884b02533ab38b3&width=400&height=225)
Seagulls at the Jumeirah beach near the Burj Al Arab hotel. Pawan Singh / The National
Dhows unloading and loading items by Deira's Spice Market. Reem Mohammed / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Z7B7GEFA2NGFVJPAULHZ6NT4UM.jpg?smart=true&auth=fed91cb886e482e0e787d452de51d9ad260c462a721c7fa3df79f5cf1740586a&width=400&height=225)
A light show at the Al Wasl Plaza, Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3BC4NKXZYZH3LGQW5KIH25YSXQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=02a255d6e14d2bd15d0ab0cc99ff3dfec801efcd113dab4648035f84338d4bbe&width=400&height=225)
Shoppers and vendors in the Gold and Spice Souk area of Deira in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XWBFZE5LE24JTGPXMD7UZGQLME.jpg?smart=true&auth=42c64d62186b4b417ddf182ad19a9298f8d872858aa28edcd63fad37c2917983&width=400&height=225)
Tourists view and buy jewels at the famous gold shops in the Gold Souk. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3KAR3VY2YDPAGAL2GXXF47Y4JM.jpg?smart=true&auth=bb8dad2b799237d9411b9f026011841a00d73e710ad11be8ff662ae9e09eade1&width=400&height=225)
Tourists visit the Dubai Museum in Bur Dubai. Paulo Vecina / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VTTLOHX66ELVGKIS3G6MWF47TY.jpg?smart=true&auth=74bf7706ee406bd0138ef0c9645c0131eca52801cae8282c5ce0d29097e17a39&width=400&height=225)
For many, Deira and the creek, the Khor Dubai, with its dhow moorings, water taxis and souks, is the very essence of the old city. Sarah Dea / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JHGGRMHCMY6KBDVPSGKCT7KTIE.jpg?smart=true&auth=679e31e00daac639b85a345c7464526ac72530a4fd5cef56acab602b6f49a3a4&width=400&height=225)
The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, in Al Bastakiya. Dubai Tourism
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AQ5Q6KN63Q5RVQSQGWVNXLUENY.jpg?smart=true&auth=899ba5b995b130d7d295324a8c3c8b9b80d09ca21dbfe28ae891759e228739d5&width=400&height=225)
Goods on display outside the shop at Old Souk in Bur Dubai. Pawan Singh/The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/76KORPMOGZFPPAEG5BIEVVRHOM.jpg?smart=true&auth=4a38d6525b80dcb06b885d744c65e1ff1df76eaf7b657dbb988f69cd1b5eae63&width=400&height=225)
Aura Sky Pool, the world’s first 360° infinity pool, on the Palm. Victor Besa / The National.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TLBPWFSMIBDBTJS2DIK5QYOYUU.jpg?smart=true&auth=fd3c6a001b07ad14d949b7a43888609defde2afea86b37b94992f603e5389368&width=400&height=225)
The aquarium at Dubai Mall draws a huge number of visitors every year. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UMJUNCAX65AU7ASML2RJKJHWDA.jpg?smart=true&auth=5f38f7af6b81f0b31f8a943cb41c0f295f2f3b58ee939527f605f9cee5f952f1&width=400&height=225)
Exterior view of Dubai Mall. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4I6VZ23JXC344TEROYOVYWM2XQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=0ddffd4cb94d4c5a2d9564ffb7ec8836125e3e0cf5f9809fd4cf0d2682a740fb&width=400&height=225)
The outdoor terrace at Honyaki in Madinat Jumeirah, overlooking the Burj Al Arab. Photo: Jumeriah Group
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GOUVLGAON6PPYDD4S6YWF37C4A.jpg?smart=true&auth=3399fc6df73f512cb1f82359a69d4ebddbeebd76b6039a64e9b52728276e6e66&width=400&height=225)
A tourist takes a selfie at JBR beach near the Ritz Carlton hotel in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YS3PB2IV7DQLCSNO53ZLEZ7FWM.jpg?smart=true&auth=a90b3b0725b531c8caaabbbdb7b706292af2f5a2c3e874fcf47f8ded1f385fa7&width=400&height=225)
Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GGUF37KIUNBG3O4HPVIRHAET24.jpg?smart=true&auth=269f3f4257fa325838649b552fa34e6549036b792a738cf8164f9f41d674df5c&width=400&height=225)
Children at Ski Dubai Photo: Ski Dubai
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Ski Dubai, in Mall of the Emirates, in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FVP36X4QZZ3UAVFHUAWZW2BGZA.jpg?smart=true&auth=3fb7e570ee6c1464b38741e4974962ac67309c5dc8f7ed675cd6c4c722a70391&width=400&height=225)
The Atlantis Hotel on the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. Jeff Topping / The National
Dubai visitor numbers to exceed pre-pandemic levels in final weeks of 2021, DXB chief says
Terminal 3 is expected to serve more than 1.6 million passengers in the second half of December during the holiday travel period
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The National
20 December, 2021
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