Several months ago Dubai’s economy was considered to be in a state of free fall. While many around the world shrugged their shoulders unconcerned, many foreigners fled the United Arab Emirates. When things slowed down and Dubai was able to get their bearings, they decided to pick up the pace again. Lucky for Dubai, they have somewhat of an economic buffer… a lot of oil. Although their oil accounts for only about 6% of the total revenue in the Emirate, it is enough to give stability to that region to remain economically sane and keeps ugly words like “recessions,” “depression,” and “bail out” out of their vocabulary. Dubai Real estate and construction account for about 26%. Logically, Dubai needs two things: people to live in Dubai and things to build to keep people in the Emirate and keep Dubai job loss to a minimum. To make their economic hiccup even less difficult, Dubai has about 12% of their gross domestic product (GPD) invested in tourism, which is about $1.9 billion of economic activity. The only way to keep their largest economic earners earning is to keep people coming to Dubai.

Travelers Prices Plummet, but Not Dubai Flights

So, again, following the direct path of logic, Dubai simply made it easy and cheap to get to Dubai. Starting on June 1^st there will be inexpensive flights flying from Beirut to Dubai. With Beirut being a major hub airport, the government is hoping that these cheap flights to Dubai will drive more and more people to the Emirate.

Despite the international plummeting numbers of air travelers in February, the Middle East saw a 0.4% increase. Not much of an increase but compared to the 10% decline felt everywhere else in the world, I would be happy with 0.4% any day.

Dubai: Construction without Moderation

This is Dubai’s first budget airline, and could very possibly  be the first ‘budget’ Dubai has ever had. The city saw a meteoric rise, with hugely ambitious projects like the Burj Tower, Atlantis, the Dubai Palm Islands, and the World Islands. Dubai obviously does not believe in building in moderation. Some projects have been completed, but many others are waiting for another economic boom in the region so that construction can begin on the Underwater Hydropolis Hotel and the immense sports stadium city.

There is too much potential in Dubai, a blossoming luxury and architectural capital of the world, to let the fickle economy dictate what gets built and when. The Emirate of Dubai may have been on shaky ground long enough for skeptics to smirk, but with the logically sound plan of using their money to build and make more money they are securing their position as a top world city. Their ability to grow in unfavorable economic times is securing their longevity as a top world vacation destination.