Dubai is the Middle East's prime destination for luxury tourism and shopping, with some of the highest growth rates in the world. Dubai is the quintessential home of sand, sun and shopping. Dubai was a small coastal village best known in the region for its trading, fishing and pearling settlements. Dubai was taken over around 1830 by a branch of the Bani Yas tribe from the Liwa oasis led by the Maktoum family who still rule the emirate today.

The second largest of the seven emirates which make up the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is located on the southern shore of the Arabian Gulf. It has an area of some 3,900 square kilometres. Dubai is now known worldwide for its conferences and trade exhibitions, and festivals has always been part of the regional culture.