Waiting in the Shadows

A common sight in Dubai are people waiting by bus stops, crammed into any available shadow cast by signs, benches, or the rare tree to escape the tremendous heat.  The people waiting for the bus tend to be the many immigrants from India, Pakistan, and the Philippines who have come to help fuel Dubai’s rocket-like economy.

Working in construction and the booming service industry, these immigrants are a key component of Dubai’s economic growth.  With 1/6th of the world’s cranes in Dubai, construction workers are vital (though supply and demand wages don’t seem to be playing into their working conditions.  Read more at the link on human rights to the right).  The hotel industry is outpacing the supply of hotel staff and the 3:1 ratio of workers to hotel guests is declining (by comparison, in London the ratio is more like 1.5:1). 

Together with the workers from worldwide who are staffing the offices and filling higher management positions, these people are creating what could be the next major city. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum envisions Dubai as filling the gap in markets between New York, London, and Tokyo.  Even the fashion world is coming on board, as Dubai hosts its first international fashion week in March of ‘07.  Looking at the map, this vision makes sense.  Precious little exists in that region in the way of successful and creative places with the capital and size to move forward. 

So keep an eye out for Dubai.  With its combination of international flavor, forward-thinking and dynamism, this city is bound to take its place as a major world city in the coming decades.

 

And Now a Word from My Sponsor

Seriously.  If I had to have a sponsor, I would want it to be Emirates Airline.  What have I been doing all these years, schlepping around with sub par airlines like Delta, American Airlines, and United Airways?  Even my long-time favorite, British Airways, seems childish compared with Emirates.

What really struck me about Emirates, I suppose, is a reflection of the United Arab Emirates, of which Dubai is one, as a whole.  First off, the passengers I saw on this plane are a far different cross-section of the world’s population than I’ve ever seen.  There were Japanese tourists, Nigerian businessmen, Arabs in white caftans and women in bright African dresses.  The mix of cultures on this plane was unique to any place I’ve been, including New York.  In order to serve such diverse clients, the flight staff was equally global and spoke roughly 15 languages between them.

One cannot mention Dubai without conjuring images of the Palms or Burj al Arab.  New projects of similar imagination and granduer are in the works (apparently one for an underwater hotel died prematurely…).  Emirates Airlines has a similar over-the-top approach to comfort and entertainment.  Though sitting in economy class, I was given my own, large tv screen, almost 1,000 channels to choose from, an excellent meal with complimentary wine and liquors, and service that made me feel as though I were in a restaurant.  Furthermore, Emirates never makes you feel as though you are on a plane.  For example, in-flight entertainment started before take-off, eliminating the need to stare uncomfortably at the ceiling or crane your neck to catch a glimpse of land during take-off. 

That ‘innovation’ (I always thought it was illegal to show in-flight entertainment during take-off, or that perhaps it interfered with the communication signals like my portable electronic devices do…) and others, such as cameras showing the view from the cockpit (quite cool while landing) mirror Dubai’s unlimited funds approach to brainstorming.  Anything and everything goes, and there’s a delightful freedom in leaving convention behind. 

So, Erin, if you ever move to Perth, I will be taking Emirates direct from New York to Dubai and Dubai to Perth to visit you.