Dubai is the only city in the Middle East to make it into the top 10 of the Best of the Best Destinations list for 2025 by global travel platform Tripadvisor.
The annual Traveller's Choice Awards, which span seven categories, are given to destinations that receive a high volume of “above-and-beyond reviews and opinions from the Tripadvisor community” from October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024.
“Out of our eight million listings, fewer than one per cent achieve this milestone,” says Tripadvisor.
The all-encompassing category, Best of the Best Destinations, lists Dubai in third place, just below Bali and London in second and first respectively. Describing the city as a destination that “mixes modern culture with history,” the platform also highlights Dubai's shopping and entertainment options.
“Catch a show at Dubai Opera, see Downtown from on top of the Burj Khalifa and spend an afternoon along Dubai Creek exploring the gold, textile and spice souqs,” it says.
Dubai has also been ranked in other categories – placing seventh in both the Best Destinations for Solo Travellers and Top Destinations of the Last 25 Years, which is based on all-time reviews on the platform.
From the region, Marrakesh also makes the Best of the Best Destinations list at number eight, as a “magical place, brimming with markets, gardens, palaces and mosques”. The former imperial city in western Morocco also comes up in a few other award categories, such as top food and top culture destinations.
The Turkish city of Istanbul is 17th, with travellers describing it as a place that “isn't just one city, but many cities within one”.
“Over the centuries, many cultures have added their mark to this prized piece of land. Today, you can experience those influences first-hand by exploring Istanbul’s mahalles or neighbourhoods,” Tripavisor says.
Bahrain's Manama on the rise
The awards also include “on-the-up cities”, a list based on year-on-year growth of reviews. Asian cities have a strong showing in this category, headlined by Japan's Osaka on top, followed by the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur.
But the breakout star of the list is Bahraini capital Manama, which ranks fourth. Described by Tripadvisor as a “major financial centre with a thriving economy”, the city is known for its decorated skyline and vibrant nightlife.
Modernity aside, cultural charm is part of its overall allure too. “The narrow rows of stalls at the Bab el-Bahrain souq are famous for their vast array of perfumes, spices, and gold,” Tripadvisor says, recommending the attraction for day trips or even half-day trips.
The Egyptian resort town of Sharm El Sheikh is also on the trending destinations list, ranking 14th as “a magnet for divers and ecotourists”. Qatar's Doha ranks 20th on the list, and is highly regarded for its shopping malls and picturesque architecture.
Giza, where travellers set forth to predominantly to see the ever-famous Pyramids, is 22nd.
Top 10 Best of the Best Destinations in the world by Tripadvisor
- London, UK
- Bali, Indonesia
- Dubai, UAE
- Sicily, Italy
- Paris, France
- Rome, Italy
- Hanoi, Vietnam
- Marrakesh, Morocco
- Crete, Greece
- Bangkok, Thailand
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Company%20profile
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
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The%20Super%20Mario%20Bros%20Movie
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
THE DETAILS
Kaala
Dir: Pa. Ranjith
Starring: Rajinikanth, Huma Qureshi, Easwari Rao, Nana Patekar
Rating: 1.5/5
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
Oscars in the UAE
The 90th Academy Awards will be aired in the UAE from 3.30am on Monday, March 5 on OSN, with the ceremony starting at 5am
RESULTS
Women:
55kg brown-black belt: Amal Amjahid (BEL) bt Amanda Monteiro (BRA) via choke
62kg brown-black belt: Bianca Basilio (BRA) bt Ffion Davies (GBR) via referee’s decision (0-0, 2-2 adv)
70kg brown-black belt: Ana Carolina Vieira (BRA) bt Jessica Swanson (USA), 9-0
90kg brown-black belt: Angelica Galvao (USA) bt Marta Szarecka (POL) 8-2
Men:
62kg black belt: Joao Miyao (BRA) bt Wan Ki-chae (KOR), 7-2
69kg black belt: Paulo Miyao (BRA) bt Gianni Grippo (USA), 2-2 (1-0 adv)
77kg black belt: Espen Mathiesen (NOR) bt Jake Mackenzie (CAN)
85kg black belt: Isaque Braz (BRA) bt Faisal Al Ketbi (UAE), 2-0
94kg black belt: Felipe Pena (BRA) bt Adam Wardzinski (POL), 4-0
110kg black belt final: Erberth Santos (BRA) bt Lucio Rodrigues (GBR) via rear naked choke
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Crazy Rich Asians
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeon, Gemma Chan
Four stars
