Dubai races ahead as the world’s leading sports destination

Following a raft of pioneering developments within the sporting arena, Ian Scott, director of the UK and Ireland Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, has announced that Dubai is on target to becoming one of the leading sports destinations for UK and Irish markets.

The emirate’s sports offering caters for fans of both active and spectator sports, ranging from ‘gentle’ leisure to ‘high octane’ pursuits for thrill seekers. Sport is playing an increasingly important role in the United Arab Emirates’ tourism development and diversification strategy, with extensive facilities across the emirates being developed or upgraded. As ever, Dubai is leading the region, with Sports City, an integrated sporting hub which will be almost twice the size of the City of London when it is completed in 2010.

Sports City will be home to four cutting-edge stadia, all built to the highest international standards and able to accommodate 100,000 spectators; it will also offer other world-class sporting facilities including the first Manchester United Soccer School outside Europe, an ICC Global Cricket Academy, a David Lloyd Tennis Academy and a World Hockey Academy, all of which will play host to a panoply of leading international athletes.

Tournaments will include, amongst others, football, cricket, rugby, golf, field hockey and tennis; and visitors will also be able to make the most of bespoke sporting academies to hone their skills. It is hoped that Dubai Sports City, alongside other sporting ventures, will boost the UAE’s bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games, and will further build upon its international reputation.

Ian Scott, director of the UK and Ireland Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, commented that “Sport is a multi-million pound global industry and Dubai has been quick to capitalise on this emerging market, successfully positioning itself as an outstanding sporting destination. In addition Dubai caters for all levels – from professional tournaments to amateur holidaymakers – and the number of state-of-the-art stadia and esteemed academies in development demonstrates the emirate’s commitment to sporting excellence.”

Golf’s Dubai Desert Classic, the Rugby Sevens and Tennis Championships, not to mention the world’s richest horse race: the Dubai World Cup, all serve to raise the profile and popularity of sports in Dubai, attracting local athletes and spectators as well as those from abroad.

For visitors seeking a more extreme adrenaline rush, the emirate can offer high-octane adventures on sand, snow and surf. From dune safaris to wadi-bashing, Dubai’s undulating desert landscape serves as a natural rollercoaster ride for drivers, with the option of sand skiing adding to the exhilarating choices available. Whilst out towards the Gulf, the crystal clear waters of Dubai’s coastline are the ideal setting for watersports, be it kite surfing, parasailing, P1 Powerboat racing or diving amongst the pristine reefs. And, in the heart of the city, Ski Dubai (at Kempinski Mall of the Emirates) offers the opportunity to slalom on real snow; it is the world’s third largest indoor ski slope measuring some 400m and using 6000 tons of snow. A second Snowdome will open in Dubailand towards the end of 2008.

As well as hosting international tournaments, Dubai also has a vibrant home-grown sporting scene. Horse and camel racing both play important roles in traditional Emirati culture and have emerged into key tourist attractions for business and leisure travellers. Nad Al Sheba Racecourse holds regular weekly races, and is also home to the annual Dubai World Cup. The emirate also recently unveiled its latest unique offering: camel polo, which can be enjoyed as a participatory or spectator sport.

From fun-packed holidays, to private coaching or corporate incentives, Dubai has something for everyone. And with even more exciting new developments on the horizon, the emirate is set to continue exceeding expectations in the sporting arena.