What don’t they do to make their guests happy: artificial islands in the balmy waters of the Persian Gulf, the tallest tower in the world, a myriad of luxury hotels and shopping malls, and even a ski hall in the middle of the desert. And yet, it doesn’t seem enough. Dubai needs to do more to attract tourists from all over the world. At least you can find them in Dubai.
So what does the traveler from near and far want? That’s right: a drink. Well, it was already there in Dubai, but it was expensive: alcohol was subject to a hefty 30 percent special tax. Half a liter of beer could quickly cost the equivalent of 15 euros in a restaurant, a bottle of wine 100 euros and more, much more. That should be over now – for the good, uh, for the good of tourism. With the abolition of the tax and the now free alcohol license for buyers, “buying your favorite drinks is now easier and cheaper than ever,” advertises liquor retailer MMI on Instagram.
15 euros for a beer? That should change so that more tourists come – and drink. Like in this restaurant in Dubai.
(Photo: Kamran Jebreili/AP)
This should now apply for a year. Apparently you want to test whether the visitors are coming in droves. And whether those foreigners who live here permanently will save themselves the trip to the Emirate after next, Umm al-Qaiwain, for example. Alcohol used to be a lot cheaper there. The so-called expats now represent more than 80 percent of the approximately ten million people who live in the United Arab Emirates. In its largest city, Dubai, the proportion is likely to be even higher.
Things are already more liberal in the glittering metropolis than in its neighbors on the Gulf
Buyers will still need an alcohol license in the future, however, because sales to Muslims are restricted. The only question is how closely people look when a foreigner places an order, regardless of their religion. Because the neighbors from Saudi Arabia and other countries like to make trips to the glittering metropolis on the Gulf, also because things have been more liberal there than at home for a long time. And they spend a lot of money when they visit. Naturally.
Nevertheless: The matter is not entirely without risk for Dubai either. Cheap(er) alcohol doesn’t necessarily attract the best guests. Between Berlin and Bangkok, Mallorca and Miami, they have known that for a long time. Even in Munich there are said to be critical voices about the annual wholesale sale of beer in large mugs. “Drink tourism” is a pretty German word, but somehow it’s a global phenomenon.