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When to visit Dubai
The best time to visit Dubai and the UAE is from October up until May.
In October the weather may still be quite hot (up to 35C), blue skies are the norm and the evenings are warm. At this stage the tourist season is well under way.
Temperatures in Dubai are ideal during November, December, January and February (around 24C) although the evenings may be a little cool (13C). North-westerly winds (shamal) sometimes blow during these winter months, bringing choppy seas. Most of the annual rainfall occurs between December and March, but this tends to be in the form of short heavy downpours that rapidly clear away. Indeed some winters are totally dry.
By March–April, temperatures are beginning to rise during the day (early 30s) but humidity is still low and the evenings are warm. May can be quite hot again (late-30s).
Avoided visiting Dubai between June–September especially the July–August period which is very hot (high 40s) and humid (100 per cent). However Dubai hotels and golf clubs and other facilities offer very good deals during the summer months and it is worth remembering that hotels, shops, in fact all buildings, cars, buses etc are air-conditioned.
Fees for short-term visit visas to Oman reduced
Muscat: In a decision expected to boost tourism, Oman has slashed the fees for short-term visit visas from 20 Omani riyals (Dh190.10) to 5 riyals (Dh47.50).
Visas for a stay of more than 48 hours and less than 10 days are classified as short-term visas.
The Royal Oman Police (ROP) has also extended the free visa period for cruise passengers and crew from 24 to 48 hours.
However, for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) residents, the short-term visa costing five riyals will be valid for four weeks and can be extended by a week.
The visit visa for GCC residents will be issued by all ports, including airports and border posts, and Omani embassies.
Emirati believed to be the oldest in the country dies
(Gulf News) Ras Al Khaimah Rashid Hamdoon Saeed Al Naqbi, believed to be the oldest man in the UAE, died at the age of 107 on Monday in Ras Al Khaimah, confirmed family members.
Al Naqbi, born June 1, 1904, died comfortably in his bed, of natural causes, at home in the Al Oraibi area of Ras Al Khaimah.
His son-in-law, Rashid Saeed, said yesterday that the family will miss Al Naqbi’s humour, tales of the desert from yesteryears and his nightly gatherings with relatives.
Dubai residents refuse to pay service charges
DUBAI: Residents of the famous Dubai beach side apartment complex Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) have been refusing to pay their service charges after a rise in the fees.
The original service fee written into owner’s contracts was Dh9.5 per square foot. Dubai Properties are believed to have wanted to increase it to Dh21. They finally settled on Dh15 per square foot.
It’s thought that the rise in the charges has resulted in as many as 50 per cent of owners not paying their charges. Last year JBR residents were perturbed when the complex car parks were left open, allowing anyone to park there.
One resident said: “Security wasn’t enforcing that the car parks were only for residents so we couldn’t find any spaces. As a suggestion we asked for card access but the developer used the cards to block people who hadn’t paid service fees.”
Dubai presented with ‘The Most Beautiful Travel Destination’ award in
Dubai has been presented ‘The Most Beautiful Destination’ award by the China Travel Channel after a jury comprising of 100 senior Chinese journalists endorsed the emirate of Dubai over several other destinations including US, France, Germany, UK and Singapore for the award given to mark the 10th anniversary of the popular TV channel. China Travel Channel is the only satellite travel and lifestyle TV channel in China with over 350 million viewers in major cities in the People’s Republic.
Personal safety
Dubai and the UAE is one of the safest places in the world to visit. In fact, it has been designated the world’s safest holiday destination by the international travel industry on two occasions. Nevertheless, it is a good idea to take out travel insurance and to take the normal precaution to safeguard yourself and your valuables.
Police Headquarters
| Abu Dhabi | 02 4461461 |
| Dubai | 04 2292222 |
| Sharjah | 06 5631111 |
| Ajman | 06 7436000 |
| Umm al-Qaiwain | 06 5656662 |
| Ra’s al-Khaimah | 07 2333888 |
| Fujairah | 09 2370000 |
Dubai Police hotline (Al Ameen service) 8004888 alalmeen@emirates.net.ae
Emergency Numbers
| Ambulance | 998 or 999 |
| Fire | 997 |
| Police | 999 |
| Coastguard | 04 3450520 |
| East Coast Coastguard | 09 2380380 |
UAE property market recovery or not
Dubai Land Department figures reflect a 37 percent increase in property transactions when compared to 2009 at the height of the financial crisis, suggesting signs of recovery in the city’s battered housing market. But analysts remain concerned that the estimated 33,000 new homes scheduled to hit Dubai’s market by end-2012 could cause fresh declines in rental and sale prices. Dubai’s housing market will plummet another 10% before it stabilises, a Reuters poll showed earlier this month, adding that the market is oversupplied by about 25%.
The situation in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, is no better with as many as 11,000 homes expected to flood the property market in the next quarter. House prices in Abu Dhabi are expected to fall another 14%, taking them to 60% below their peak.
There’s a lot of uncertainty in the market still. Despite stabilising prices, there is still reluctance to get back into the market, certainly on the investor side. Although villa properties continue to outperform apartments, lease rates fell 10% year on year with smaller houses worst hit by the declines. Emaar Properties the UAE’s largest developer by market value has said revenue from apartment sales plunged 86% in the third quarter, amid weak property demand in Dubai.
Speaking in London last week, Emaar Properties chairman Mohamed Alabbar said that Dubai’s real estate will remain a “challenging” environment for two or three years but house prices are beginning to recover. He also said he saw “optimism in the city” and confidence among consumers and the government, resulting in growth in key sectors of Dubai’s economy.
Moody’s, one of the most reputed rating agencies, has recently predicted the future of Dubai real estate according to which, oversupply is still suppressing Dubai property market despite various steps taken by the Dubai government.
Analysts have warned that Dubai risks developing a two-tiered property market with villas and apartments in poorly maintained developments proving difficult to rent out or sell.
While the outlook for the United Arab Emirates property sector remains gloomy, the emirates have been seen as a safe haven during turmoil that has gripped the Arab world and toppled leaders in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya.
Dress appropriately
During your trip to Dubai please remember it is permitted to wear bikinis and normal swim wear on the beach, however, it is highly recommended that one restrict the wearing of such garments to the beach and not openly in public. In addition, topless bathing is not permitted, and thongs may also cause offense to the local population. Whilst it is common for men to walk bare-chested on the promenades of Europe, it is frowned upon here so please respect the local customs and culture and ensure you comply with the local dress code. Short skirts and revealing tops will also attract attention, and are not considered appropriate attire for public forums, such as area shopping malls.
Burj Khalifa
Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building developed by Emaar Properties, is redefining the aesthetics and luxurious comfort of everyday living through its sky lobbies, specially designed public spaces that offer residents and visitors a relaxed lifestyle experience. (Read More)