When planning a vacation, many families must consider the needs of a disabled family member. The Middle Eastern Emirate of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing has taken an exceptional interest in special needs tourism to ensure that all visitors experience each and every one of Dubai’s attractions.

You’ve Landed in Dubai. Now What?

Before stepping foot on the sultry sands of this Arabian land, many travelers journey through the Dubai Airport.  Families of disabled tourists will find convenient accommodations to facilitate travel. First, there is free valet and self-parking to handicapped-designated vehicles and 24-hour wheelchair accessible transportation to and from the airport.

Inside, the airport offers wheelchair-accessible check-in desks, boarding gates, restrooms, lifts and water fountains. Visitors escorting special needs travelers may be issued passes to get to departures without hassle. Officials from the Department of Civil Aviation are on-call to help with personalized requests at any time.

Getting Around Dubai

Once out of the airport and into this desert playground, tourists must find their way around – whether it is to check in at the 5-star Kempinski Hotel, to shop at the Mall of the Emirates, or to sightsee at the Jumeirah Mosque. Transportation can be complicated with a special needs tourist in tow, but not on this vacation. Dubai Taxi is a wheelchair-friendly mode of transport – they just require a call in advance and will meet tourists wherever, whenever with specialized vans.

For travelers who prefer to drive themselves, the Dubai Police will issue a temporary license and parking tag to visitors from most countries driving a handicapped-designated vehicle. Call ahead to make arrangements with the police prior to your trip. Dubai also offers many places to rent special-needs equipment, like wheelchairs and walkers, all over the city.

Most hotels, like the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, are wheelchair accessible, equipped with wide entrances and restrooms as well as elevators – just call ahead to make sure before booking a room.

Special Needs Accessible Tours, Attractions and Shopping in Dubai

After the transportation is taken care of, it’s time to enjoy the trip of a lifetime. Dubai has many wonderful cultural, historical and natural attractions to take in – most are accessible to every tourist.

North Tours offers wheelchair-accessible desert safaris, a Dubai City Tour and the Dhow Cruise upon request. Orient Tours, a sponsor of the Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality (SATH), boasts personalized services from guides and vehicle operators in all of their tours and safaris.

Most of Dubai’s popular cultural sites, like the Dubai Museum and Heritage and Diving Villages, offer wide entrances and wheelchair -accessible restrooms and parking. The same goes for most of Dubai’s bustling shopping centers, like the Al Towar District’s Al Bustan Centre and the Mall of the Emirates. Dubai’s beaches, like Al Mamzer Beach Park; children’s attractions, like Children’s City; and the gorgeous Zaebeel Park in central Dubai are all special-needs friendly.

Explore More

This is just an overview of Dubai’s willingness to accommodate each and every one of its millions of tourists each year. Check out the rest of www.DubaiVacationTrips.com to plan your trip. Many of the attractions listed on this site are equipped to take care of disabled tourists.

Nestled in the heart of the Middle East, the Emirate offers tourists a surprisingly decadent oasis full of coastal beauty , innovative wonders, and fascinating Dubai attractions. Dubai’s transformation from a mere coastal town into a giant, yet beautiful, metropolis continues to gain the city worldwide attention.

The Apeiron Hotel

An innovative resort stretching from the sky to the sea

Plans are in the works to add a second Dubai 7-star hotel to their collection of resorts. Borrowing its name from a Greek cosmological theory about an indefinite source from which everything in the universe originates, The Apeiron is designed to burst with originality. The island resort is still in conceptual phases, but the familiar Dubai luxury and technology are evident even in the designs.

Some of the hotel’s features include:

• 438 suites
• Underwater restaurant
• Butterfly jungle
• Helipad and sky reception
• Spa
• Health club
• Underwater lagoon

Dynamic Tower

An 80-story, multipurpose building that generates energy

This revolutionary skyscraper with independently rotating floors would combine the Emirate’s lavish tendencies and Dubai’s architectural superiority with new eco-friendly technology. Although still a concept, the tower is designed to not only power itself, but provide five other smaller buildings with energy, as well.

Dubai’s dynamic tower, designed by Dr. David Fisher, introduces an entirely new element into 21^st century architecture: time. Each floor will be able to move at different speeds and in different directions.

The tower will be 80 floors with each section of the building having a unique purpose:

• Floors 1-20: offices
• Floors 21-35: luxury hotel
• Floors 36-70: residential apartments
• Floors 71-80: luxury villas

Dubai Hub One

A cultural center designed to be the heart of the Middle East

Already equipped with some of the best shopping in Dubai, Studio Nova has proposed that Dubai build a hub for the United Arab Emirates where individuals could take in culture the same way they consume goods.

The building itself was designed using computer algorithms and special programs that transform space in both futuristic and productive ways. The hub will allow Dubai cultural attractions to be centrally located in one place.

The cultural hub will provide individuals with a space for:

• Galleries
• Museums
• Libraries
• Meeting spaces

Learn More!

Dubai is one of the fastest-growing tourist spots in the world, and there is always something new on the horizon. For more information on new and exciting additions to Dubai, visit www.dubaivacationtrips.com and come back often.

Natural Beauty in Dubai

The United Arab Emirates is most famous for the majestic emirate of Dubai but when most people think of desert nation, they often forget the beauty of the land far before there were skyscrapers and entertainment centers.

Dubai enjoys an arid subtropical climate, with blue skies and sunshine all year round. It makes for the perfect weather to be outdoors and experience all that the Middle East has to offer. The hottest months are between June and September whereas the coolest time is between December and March. There is very little rainfall in Dubai, but when showers do fall it is mainly in the cooler months.

Birdwatchers Have a Rare Treat in the Region

For birdwatchers, Dubai has something really special to offer, a tidal wetland right in its backyard. The city skyline forms a beautiful backdrop for thousands of flamingoes, herons, ducks and shorebirds. The birds feed and rest on the mudflats on their migration between Asia and Africa. Within one hour from Dubai live some of the region’s rarest species that inhabits the deserts and mountains. Over 400 bird species have been seen in the United Arab Emirates and it is possible to find nearly 200 of them during a short stay in the country.

Plan to go on a Sightseeing Tour that Showcases the Natural Beauty of Dubai

There are several excursions that visitors to Dubai can embark on to see the natural beauty of the region. It is recommended that you check with your hotel concierge for times and to make reservations. The Department of Tourism also recommends that to best enjoy your sightseeing adventure you wear short-sleeved shirts or T-shirts, light cotton trousers, shorts, sun hat and light walking shoes.

Dubai offers visitors year-round sunshine and five-star luxury hotels plus the adventure of a unique Arabian Experiences. As a place of fascinating contrasts, a distinctive blend of modern city and timeless desert Dubai is the world leader in tourism attractions, both natural and man-made.

Dubai is known for wanting and creating the biggest, the best and the first of everything, and the construction of The Palms is no different. The Dubai Palm Islands are the world’s three largest man-made islands being built off the coast of Dubai. Also known as “The Eighth Wonder of the World,” the Palm Islands will create a large number of residential, leisure, and entertainment areas.

The project is being handled by Al Nakheel Properties. The idea was first announced in May 2002. It took four years of planning and studies to make sure the project would not disrupt the environment. The first phase of the project was transferring sand and rocks to create the islands. There are three islands included in this project: The Palm Jumeirah, The Palm Jebel Ali, and The Palm Deira.

All together, the Dubai Palm Islands will support more than 60 luxury hotels, 4,000 exclusive Dubai villas, 1,000 unique water homes, 5,000 shoreline apartments, marinas, water parks, restaurants, malls, sports facilities, health spas and cinemas. Visiting The Palm Islands is a must for a truly unforgettable Dubai Vacation.

The Palm Jumeirah is primarily a retreat and residential area for living, relaxation and leisure. The island consists of a trunk, a crown with 17 fronds, and a surrounding crescent island that forms as a breakwater. Residents began moving into their Palm Jumeirah properties at the end of 2006. This was the end of phase one of construction, which includes 1,400 villas and 2,500 shoreline apartments. Eight of the 32 hotels have begun construction, including the Taj Exotica Resort and Spa and the Atlantis, The Palm.

The second island, the Palm Jebel Ali, started construction in October 2002 and is expected to be completed in mid 2008. The island is expected to accommodate 1.7 million people by 2020. The Palm Jebel Ali is 50 percent larger than the Palm Jumeirah, and will include six marinas, a water park, homes built on stilts above the water, as well as boardwalks that circle the fronds of the palm inscribed with letters that spell out an Arabic poem by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The last island, the Palm Deira, was announced for development in October 2004. Once completed, this will be the world’s largest man-made island. The island is eight times larger than the Palm Jumeirah and five times larger than the Palm Jebel Ali and is expected to house more than a million people.

The Dubai Palm Islands are just one of the many amazing Dubai attractions this unique Emirate has to offer. For more information on all of the other eccentric buildings and projects being constructed or to learn about places to stay and things to do while on your Holiday to Dubai, visit www.dubaivacationtrips.com.

A great way to enjoy all of the amazing sights and unbelievable Dubai attractions is by taking a trip on the Hop on & Hop off Bus Tour. This tour is the perfect way to start out your Dubai vacation, to find out where everything is and which attraction you want to spend more time at. A trip on the Hop on & Hop off Tour will be an enjoyable and memorable part of your holiday to Dubai. Enjoy two tours for the price of one, the Red Route, which is the City Tour, and the Blue Route, which is the Beach Tour. From the Burj Al Arab hotel to the traditional Dubai Souks, you will have the opportunity to see all of the incredible Dubai attractions that make up this unique Emirate.

Riding in an open-top double decker bus, you will be taken to 23 of Dubai’s most famous attractions. Buses depart from each stop approximately every 30 minutes and they run from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily. The tickets include a free two-hour beach tour, free entry to the Dubai Museum, free entry to Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum’s house, a free Wafi City advantage card, free walking tour and a free daily Arabian Dhow Cruise. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off included in the tour, just go to any one of the Dubai attractions on the routes to be picked up and start from there! Each tour has live English commentary and the tickets are valid for 24 hours.

The City Tour will bring you to ten of Dubai’s attractions where you can explore the city and the many shops, bars and restaurants in the area. For some traditional Dubai shopping, hop off at the Gold Souk and experience what shopping used to be like! The Wafi City Mall and the Burjuman Mall are two stops to do more shopping, as well as grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants. The Beach Tour is the other route available which includes 13 different stops. This tour will bring you to a variety of beaches such as Jumeirah Beach Park, Oasis Beach Hotel or Sheraton Beach Hotel to relax and lay out. A few other stops are the famous Jumeirah Mosque or the Mall of the Emirates which also has Ski Dubai, the indoor ski park.

When planning your Dubai vacation, make sure to set aside a day for The Hop on & Hop off Bus Tour, the perfect way to explore the entire city and all of its magnificent sights in one day. For more information on lots of other great Dubai attractions or to see what else this exotic Emirate has to offer, check out www.Dubaivacationtrips.com.

The World Dubai is a man-made cluster of 300 islands constructed in the shape of a world map located off the coast of Dubai. This is one of several artificial island projects being constructed in Dubai; others include the three Palm Islands. The World Dubai was developed by Nakheel Properties but was originally thought up by Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai.

Dubai’s world islands will be the most exclusive and sought after community in the world with its exciting and luxurious residential and leisure opportunities. After five years of construction the World Dubai has been completed and is now ready to sell each island to investors to begin their developments. Investors will have the freedom to create their own personal vision on the islands whether they want it for private or commercial use as well as leisure, residential or tourist developments. The opportunities are endless when deciding what to do with each of the 300 islands available. The value of each island starts at $15 million and goes up to $45 million, depending on the size of the island. One island is said to cost $250 million dollars! The size of the islands range from 150,000 to 500,000 square feet and many of the larger islands are expected to become resorts.

Several celebrities have been rumored to be purchasing one of the world islands in Dubai. These celebrities include Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, David Beckham and Rod Stewart. Tommy Lee already announced his purchase of the Greece Island earlier this year. Celebrities and other investors of these islands will be able to experience the beautiful views of the ocean and beaches as well as the privacy and privilege of living on their own island.  

All of the Dubai World Islands will only be accessible by marine or air transportation. Located on the islands will be world class marinas to berth boats, yachts, and cruise liners.

The World Dubai represents a unique concept of leisure, living and tourism. These exclusive islands will offer exciting experiences for both residents and visitors. This development is another expansion of Dubai’s drive to become the leader in international tourism as well as an ideal place to live. Dubai is known for wanting the biggest, the best and the first of everything, and the Dubai World Islands are no different. This “never before” concept of The World Islands will add to Dubai’s list of firsts along with the Hydropolis, the world’s first underwater hotel and the Time Residences, the first rotating towers in the world.

The purpose of The World Dubai and the Palm Islands is to create more coastline for Dubai. The Sheikh’s vision was to create islands offshore, using Dubai’s natural resources. By shaping the islands into amazing designs like the map of the world or a palm tree, it creates more tourist populations and real estate projects. These extraordinary islands are some of the greatest Dubai attractions and should not be missed on your holidays to Dubia.   

The booming economy in Dubai is leading to major growth in many different job markets. There are many jobs available in Dubai, from construction professionals to nurses, perfect for someone looking to spend some time in a tax free working environment in the most unique and dynamic emirates in the UAE. There are plenty of Dubai jobs to choose from in all kinds of fields including IT, nursing, marketing, accounting and construction.

One interesting development for jobs in Dubai is in the human resources industry. Most of the companies in Dubai are looking for the best human resources professionals to recruit well-qualified, highly experienced international employees. Dubai wants the best employee base working for their top companies to make sure the Emirate has the strongest and most dynamic economy in the world. Dubai believes that a good company is built on good staff and finding good staff is the only way a company will succeed. Many companies offer their best employees high-end Dubai villas or marina apartments as additional incentives.

Human resources jobs in Dubai are increasing and if you have the experience and skills and want to work in a growing and fast moving market, than the Recruitments and Human Resources departments could be the perfect job for you!

The market for Teaching jobs in Dubai is also quickly increasing. The population of Dubai increases everyday and as a result the number of schools have increased over the years as well. The schools that already exist have been forced to expand to make room for the amount of children in Dubai which means there are teaching jobs available in Dubai for those with the experience and qualifications. The children of Dubai are expected to learn English so many schools are always looking for English teachers. Most employment packages for teachers include accommodations and there is plenty of Dubai real estate to choose from!

Like almost anywhere else in the world, there is a very high demand to fill medical and nursing jobs in Dubai. The Dubai hospitals offer great living conditions, salaries, benefits and very generous leave time. Dubai has some of the best hospitals and clinics in the world and they are developing a project called Dubai Healthcare City which will be a regional center of excellence for medical services, education and research.

Dubai is known for its outrageous buildings such as the world’s first underwater hotel, the Hydropolis Hotel Dubai, and the world’s tallest skyscraper, The Burj Dubai Tower. The Emirate wants to have the biggest and the best of everything, which is why jobs in engineering, architecture and construction are always in demand in Dubai. Dubai has plans for future projects that are in development for the next several years. Engineering jobs in Dubai, as well as architects and construction workers will be in high demand until these projects are completed.

There are a number of job opportunities available in Dubai for various job markets. One great thing about working in Dubai is there is no income tax! Direct personal taxes are illegal in Dubai. This will give you more of an opportunity to explore all of Dubai’s attractions such as Ski Dubai and the Wild Wadi Water Park!

For more information about jobs in Dubai or to find out some great places to stay or attractions to see, visit our main website at www.Dubaivacationtrips.com. We’ll keep you updated on the most current Dubai happenings, attractions, real estate, and job info.

One fun and exciting way to experience the Arabian Desert of Dubai is to participate in one of the many Desert Safari Tours. This is a great Dubai attraction for those who want to enjoy an adrenaline-pumping adventure through the sand dunes. There are Dubai desert safaris that last for just the day, and for those looking to get away for a night there is an overnight safari tour. Either way, it is a great experience for the entire family!

The Wadi Hatta Desert Safari Tour allows you to explore the desert as well as the valley of Wadi Hatta. With scenic views of the Hajar Mountains in the background and the old Hatta village nearby, there is a little touch of everything on this tour. Like a rollercoaster ride, you will go up and down over the sand dunes flying across the desert. After this thrilling ride you will be given the chance to swim in one of Hatta’s rock pools and enjoy a meal at the Hatta Fort, Dubai’s only mountain resort. The tour lasts for four hours and you will be picked up in the morning and dropped off in the afternoon at your hotel.

There are two other ways to explore the desert on your Dubai holidays that are very similar except one tour is a half day tour and one is an overnight. The Dubai Desert Safari Adventure is a day tour starting later in the afternoon so you can spend the early afternoon driving up and over the sand dunes across the desert. A stop on the highest dune is the perfect spot for a photo op, with an incredible view of the sunset on the horizon. When it turns to dusk you will make your way to a torch lit campsite and spend the evening listening to Arabic music and watching belly dancers while enjoying a delicious barbeque. You can also enjoy a camel ride into the desert, get henna designs on your hand or try on traditional Arabic dresses. After this unforgettable evening in the desert you will be dropped off at your hotel to enjoy the rest of your Dubai vacation.

The Arabian Desert Overnight Safari is a great way to truly experience the desert. On this tour you will spend two days and one night exploring the desert and the nightlife at the campsite. The activities at night are the same as the Desert Safari Adventure, except you will be feasting in a three-course buffet style barbeque throughout the night. The night will be spent in the Bedouin-style camp, where sleeping bags will be provided for you. The next morning you can enjoy a delicious breakfast before beginning the journey back across the desert.

A few other thrilling activities everyone must experience when visiting the Dubai desert is sand boarding, camel riding and buggy riding, and there is a tour that does it all! You will travel across the desert to some of the most beautiful sand dunes in Dubai. There you will have the opportunity to try one of the most exhilarating sports in the desert, sand boarding! Visiting the Dubai desert is not complete without at least one ride down the dunes. While you are out there, you can take a ride on a camel or an adventurous journey on a dune buggy. This half day tour is the perfect way to explore the desert and participate in activities you can’t do anywhere else! 

To learn about more of the must-see attractions, visit Dubai Vacation Trips’ website, it has all the information you need when planning your Dubai vacation!