Dubai’s Tourism Applied Model And Its Societal Outcomes

This reflective paper reviews the Dubai’s tourism applied model and its societal outcomes based on the paper of Marcus L. Stephensona∗ and Jane Ali-Knightb. Moreover, it will study its related concerns according to my way of thinking and perception of the main article. As it can be seen, the introduction of the article focusing on explaining the role and impact of public policy and how it relates to the new phenomenon of policy networks.

Tourism is not exclusively an economic phenomenon, it equally involves social, cultural, political and environmental aspects (A.Pizam, 2014). For this reason, it is essential to study not only tourism’s economic outcomes of destinations, but also to contemplate its fundamental sociocultural and environmental repercussion. At the same way this promising industry is one of the most significant economic sectors of Dubai which enjoyed a remarkable growth that has been driven by several factors.

Located in a strategic location in Middle East, situated between Europe, Asia and Africa with high standard infrastructure, smart economic policies and well appropriate management and planning, Dubai offers an attractive beaches, pleasant weather patterns mainly for tourists from western countries to enjoy coastal areas and archeological sites. During the last three decades, Dubai’s economic significantly boosted via its prosperous economic model, mainly via tourism industry and all related segments such as, banking, transportation, retails and other sub economic sectors.

Focusing on sociocultural factors, now a substantial growth in tourism visitation to the Northern Emirates, suggests more investment in culture, heritage and adventure products, that has supports offset the decline and maintain the momentum in the market.

Given above, in my personal perspective the key factors of such a prosperous business model would be categorized briefly in 3 parts; first, the critical role of the government that represented through their strategic planning and leadership style. The second factor refers to the good infrastructure, significantly. Those infrastructure might include hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, exhibition centers and all related MICE businesses services and products. Moreover, transportation, telecommunications and technology, sport facilities, education and medical infrastructure include as the major components of the high standard infrastructures in Dubai. Finally, third factor, in my idea owned by retail sector since ranked as the world’s fourth most attractive retail destination AT Kearney’s latest global index. However, the role of the Marketing and Media infrastructure is totally crucial in this matter.

Tourism culture is affected by the culture and actions of visitors themselves (Wilson, 1997), their hosts (Smith, 2009), and influenced by the unique requirements and processes of hosting tourism (Cooper, 1995).

In my personal perspective and based on my few visit of Dubai, I believe that a foreign labor dependent is one of the most concerning matters. In fact, via educating local manpower’s for the managerial roles and utilizing those national assets, they will totally combat the manpower problem.

However, I am totally disagree with the point of view of the writer(s) which state: “hospitality should be localised to clearly represent the ethnicity and social dynamics of the host society and culture” (2010). In my idea one of the beauty of hospitality industry is where that a visitor experience cultural diversity anywhere, globally. The product may or may not be necessarily localised. One of the main successful factors of Dubai as a destination refers to this issue that visitors enjoys the selection of choices of divergent products and services. Yet, such a destination might address more on their ethnic and cultural dynamics, locally and encourage local community to apply cultural and sustainable models such as CITASLOW approach.

My second recommendation is to focus on more sustainable and long run investment and planning. Since, climate change impacts, leads to many issues such as sand storms and dryer summer which has a direct negative impact on the whole area. In fact, Dubai with a high standards infrastructure has an easier job than the other destination to adapt such sustainable approach.

Finally, with additional focuses on domestic tourism and assisting local community to contribute to sense of geo-ethnic identity via promoting cultural and social heritage tourism.