Written by Johanna Abdulkadil
They say that Dubai is a transitory place, a city enormously difficult to maintain relationships when everybody is coming and going. But for all the glitz and glamour this place is known for, Dubai will always be a place that emerged from the desert. For some, it is a daring travel destination considering the city’s scorching temperature throughout the year which can deter travelers at heart.
I first came to this magnificent city eight years ago and it is hard not to be captivated by the mystery it exudes. Dubai, after all, used to be a village of fishermen living around the creek. Travel has been challenging the last two years as the pandemic affected global tourism. The economic implications are undeniable but fortunately, Dubai was one of the first few cities that have reopened its tourism doors in the second half of 2020 when the rest of the world was struggling to get back on its feet.
So much has changed since I last visited. On the other side of Dubai’s Business Bay, towering pillars rose from the earth to the sky as the world’s tallest skyscraper Burj Khalifa touched the horizon and other ambitious building projects surrounding it. Dubai is a Middle Eastern city where there are plenty of Gulf state citizens driving in Rolls Royces, Lambhorghinis, Bentleys, or even Ferraris pulling up to hotel bays, and the call to prayer echoes from the mosques. Dubai is definitely a gateway city for its stylishness and has become a cultural hub spot for many activities and ultra-experiences.
Enter 2022 and now that I am back in this city I have come to adore. I stayed around Deira proper during my first few days and from the smell of the many varieties of perfumes wafting through the air around Dubai’s Old Quarter, I witnessed the charm of this emirate and why this city has welcomed many immigrants.
A few days’ visit has given me a glimpse of this city’s enchanting surprises.
Hang around in Dubai’s business district
I sit by the balcony at The Oberoi, a contemporary luxury hotel located in Dubai’s central business district. Once you hear their team member greet you “Welcome to The Oberoi,” you will know right away why it has been awarded "Middle East’s Leading Luxury City Hotel" at the World Travel Awards in April 2019.
From the smooth check-in, offering of cold towel, I understood right away that hospitality is at the core of this city. The property’s Guest Recognition strategy means the customer is treated like a friend – a singular experience of being truly seen, heard, and understood. The astonishing effect one feels from an act, a gesture, a word; that is genuine.
A truly delectable dining experience makes this property one-of-a-kind with its open space courtyard where birds chirping await diners in its 24/7 Nine7One – nine cuisine restaurant from seven continents served in one destination. Craving for a well-done steak? Ask it and you shall receive it.
Holistic experience is also at the heart of the hotel’s philosophy. Ayurvedic massage treatments are employed for a true wellness experience – whether you come in solo or as a couple.
I never felt away from home even for a moment. Everywhere I glanced, Filipinos abound in different industries and most especially in the hospitality industry. Dharmendra Sharma, The Oberoi Dubai’s Director of Sales and Marketing shared: “If there is one nationality who absolutely needs to be put on the spotlight, it is definitely the Filipinos. They never complain, or grumble. They just do their jobs, and will always give you a smile.”
The Oberoi is famed for its exceptional personalized service and an entertaining fact – Kris Aquino handpicked this property for her Dubai stay a few years back. If you ever find yourself in this glittering Middle Eastern gem, make sure to check out this hotel.
Dubai as an art haven
I got the chance to visit Infinity Des Lumières, an ultimate digital immersive art experience in the Middle East. Iconic and contemporary art is brought to life through 3,000 HD moving images, powered by 130 projectors and 58 speakers.
Housed within 2,700-square meter of space, its digital façade is also the largest inside The Dubai Mall.
Once inside this dreamlike space, you are greeted with a truly sensorial experience and a myriad of emotions take place.
This year’s debut season, which ran for 10 months (it concluded last April 2022) featured Van Gogh “The Starry Night,” Dreamed Japan: “The images of the floating world,” and Verse.
Visitors were able to stroll into these installations, becoming a part of each piece as it glides, swirls, and pulses to meticulously prepared soundtracks.
Van Gogh’s “The Starry Night” is directed by Gianfranco Iannuzzi, Renato Gatto, Luca Longobardi, and Massimiliano Siccardi. The presentation featured the iconic artist’s masterpieces combined together and accompanied by impressive musical work, which opens up new perspectives on Van Gogh’s imaginative world.
Dreamed Japan: “The images of the floating world” by DannyRose studio allowed you to stride inside an amazing dreamlike space, where the poetically beautiful world of 19th century Japan floats all around you, blending seamlessly Hokusai’s portraits with enchanting landscapes and marvels of the sea, by transforming them into a virtual reality that is so brilliant and powerful. It is impossible not to feel the wonder in every moment.
Verse by Thomas Vanz is an amazing sensorial delight for those wanting to feel a hypnotic, metaphysical journey. A whirling extravaganza of images demonstrating the magical beauty and harmonious movement of the cosmos is amplified with the harmonies of an orchestral piece composed with Jonathan Fitas.
On top of the world’s tallest skyscraper
Tallest, largest, grandest. Dubai is everything superlative as one can imagine. You will never feel you are in Dubai until you have made it at the top of Burj Khalifa. Towering at 828 meters and owning the highest outdoor observation deck at 452 meters located at the 124th level of the tower – anyone will be literally, and figuratively, on a high.
Memories of the greatest show on earth – Expo 2020 Dubai
A city of worldly ambitions, Dubai made history and certainly an impression for all the world to see when it won the 2013 bid staged by the Bureau International des Expositions to host the 2020 World Expo. This was a milestone in itself for UAE as a country and Dubai being the first Arab city to put together this marvelous demonstration of creativity and innovation.
Spanning 438 hectares that is equivalent to 600 football fields, a three-day escapade to this place was not enough with 192 nations participating in this event. Dubai made sure no country was unrepresented by ensuring each one had a specially-designed pavilion.
This event opened in October 2021, one year from the original launch date. With the official theme “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future,” the Expo 2020 Dubai was indeed a “Festival of Ingenuity” as the organizers called it. It was a spectacle that I couldn't forget – trust me, I waited five long years for this. To see this event in person was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Fanned out into a stunning petal-shaped architectural structure, this wondrous display of innovation was divided into three thematic sub-themes in striking petal-shaped districts: Sustainability, Mobility, and Opportunity. Each of these districts showcased the technological, architectural, and cultural marvels that support each of the message.
At the centerpiece of the Expo was the Al Wasl Dome — a steel interpretation of the Expo’s logo based on an ancient jewel recently discovered in a land long forgotten called Saruq Al Hadid. The relic has intricate patterns that have come to epitomize connectivity, resilience, and strength. The dome acted as a huge 360-degree projection and lighted up during the night with a gorgeous display of colors with different themes every day.
The Dubai government’s determination to make this one of the most highly-anticipated exhibitions is anchored on Sustainability, which forms the cornerstone of the major sub-themes of the Expo 2020, alongside Mobility and Opportunity.
During my visit at this district, I saw the 4,912 solar panels on Terra – the Sustainability Pavilion’s 130-meter wide canopy and 18 Energy Trees. Named after our planet, the building will be repurposed after the event with a long-term goal in mind -- a public children’s science center dedicated to a sustainable and resilient future for our planet,
The Energy trees generated 4GWh of alternative energy per year, enough electricity to charge more than 900,000 mobile phones. Its forward-thinking and whimsical design allowed visitors to enter a mesmerizing world where they explored and wandered through simulations of ocean depths, forest roots, and other natural wonders.
My visit to the Expo’s Sustainability District will be incomplete without seeing the Philippines’ Pavilion -- the largest our country has showcased thus far spanning 1,386 square meters. Spectators were welcomed by the concept of Bangkóta, Philippine coral reef wonderland, drawing you into defined, free-flowing, open spaces, reflecting our world-class culture embracing openness, meaningful encounters, and connectivity.
Conceptualized and actualized by Architect Royal Pineda of Budji+Royal Architecture+Design, the Philippines showcased the Filipino identity and its creative industries such as architecture, landscape architecture, content curation, multimedia arts, music, dance, film, fashion, animation, game development, artisanal objects, food, photography, and performing arts. It was indeed an epic symphony of nature, culture, and a 4,000-year journey.
On the next front is the Mobility District represented by the Alif Pavilion where you ride the world’s largest passenger lift which can transport 160-plus people at a time and takes you to meet the larger-than-life, nine-meter-tall historical giants of mobility whose innovations helped steer the world and paved the way for the technology we use today.
The last district is the Opportunity District, which was created to stimulate empathy and encourage a desire to create ideas for a better world. The district attempts to present the UAE as a tolerant country and provider of opportunities across various sectors.
Dubai continuously shapes itself as a tourist destination. It is no wonder why it topped the spot of Trip Advisor’s no.1 global destination in its Travellers’ Choice Awards 2022.
It is also a testament to UAE’s commitment to position Dubai as an open, tolerable, and a safe haven for travelers and workers alike. Its proactive effort to reopen its borders, collective approach to consistency, and agility in putting health safety protocols in place for tourists – armed with the will to build and construct the Expo 2020 is just the beginning to transform this desert powerhouse as a well-rounded travel destination for the wanderers at heart.
In this worldwide reset taking place as we recover from the pandemic, tolerance is a fundamental value and has become even more vital where people feel respected, accepted, and recognized.
As the world is continually reopening, Dubai is at the forefront of global tourism industry. So, the next time you feel like jet setting, tell yourself, it’s time to dare yourself and your family or friends to go to Dubai.
About the author:
Johanna Abdulkadil is a marketing professional within the hospitality industry and has various experiences in communications, public relations, brand management, alliances and partnerships.