Compared to the previous year, Dubai recorded a 32 percent increase in visitor numbers. Last year, the total number of hotel rooms sold represented almost one percent of international booking volume. In other words, every hundredth hotel room booked was one in the emirate. Or: the same number of visitors stayed in the Dubai hotspot as in London, Paris and Oslo combined. But why is the city on the Persian Gulf so popular? 

1. the beautiful weather in Dubai

"Hotspot Dubai" can be understood quite literally. Because the emirate has fantastic weather all year round. The coolest temperatures are in January. And even then it is still 24 degrees. The hottest time is from June to September. Around 40 degrees are the order of the day. Another advantage: it hardly rains. On an annual average, precipitation is to be expected on just four days.

2. Dubai is a paradise for luxury fans

Lamborghini Aventador, Bugatti Veyron, Porsche 918 Spyder: What sounds like cars you'd normally only see in James Bond movies is part of the street scene in Dubai. That's because the police drive these cars on patrol here. In hardly any other city is the density of luxury hotels as high as in Dubai. Bus stops are air-conditioned. And in addition to ATMs, there are gold machines. That's right. Gold vending machines.

3. Dubai is the safest city in the world

As a traveler from Europe, one may have the impression that Dubai is a particularly strict religious destination. This is not quite true. In fact, it is a cosmopolitan place. People of other faiths are very tolerant. Christian churches, Hindu temples, Jewish synagogues and Muslim mosques coexist peacefully. Intercultural conflicts are rare. Crime and public order problems are virtually non-existent. The number of crimes is almost zero.

4. hotspot Dubai attracts foodies

For years, typical Emirati cuisine was still underrepresented. That is now slowly changing. Classics of the cuisine include, for example, luqaimat, a sweet pastry similar to donuts, samboosa and margoogat. The latter is a type of stew. Specialties also include anything made from dates, many rice dishes and, last but not least, coffee. Because Emiratis don't drink alcohol, you can't get such creative mocktails and fruit juices anywhere else in the world. Because only 15 percent of the population are locals, the cuisine is naturally also international in character. Here you can find everything from street food to Michelin-starred cuisine ("Stay" by Yannick Alleno, "Social" by Heinz Beck) everything.

5. there is always something going on in Dubai

Not a day goes by without an event. It doesn't matter whether you're more interested in opera performances, sporting events, art exhibitions or concerts by international superstars: The Dubai event calendar is always full. One of the biggest highlights of the past years is the Expo 2020 Dubai. It has the whole world as its guest until March 31, 2022.

6. shopping paradise Dubai

Store til' you drop: In Dubai, this is easily possible. From markets to the largest shopping center in the world, the offer ranges. The latter, the Dubai Mall, entices with 1,200 fashion, food and entertainment options. In the Mall of the Emirates you can indulge in a round of skiing in the world's largest indoor ski slope after shopping. And in souks like the Gold Souk, the Perfume Souk, the Spike Souk and the Textile Souk you can always grab bargains. By the way, here are the best tips for your first visit to the souk.

7. experience exciting contrasts

There are few destinations in the world where you can experience contrasts as exciting as in Dubai. Besides the Emirati in their traditional dishdashas and the Muslim women in their abayas or jalabiyas, the street scene is characterized just as much by tourists in Western casual wear. The lushly planted squares often make you forget that you are actually in the middle of the desert. Traditional Islamic architecture meets more than 400 innovative skyscrapers. Mosques exist next to amusement parks. Camels wander next to Lamborghinis and Maseratis.