Visit Historic Places with Your Cheap Holidays to Dubai

Author: Amanda Sutcliffe

The entire world knows Dubai today as an exciting tourist destination and the Middle East region's business hub. It is the largest city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Dubai Emirate's capital. This city has created a massive interest among tourists and business organisations across the globe with its large-scale construction projects, and grand annual events. Since the early 20th century, it has been a growing centre for trade and a major mercantile hub. The city is also home to the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa.

Your cheap holidays to Dubai would give you the opportunity to explore this magnificent skyscraper and other popular attractions. The history of the city dates back to 3000 BC when the region was inhabited by the seasonal hunter and pastoral communities. It was also popular among the Sumerians, as it was an excellent source of metals like bronze and copper. Before the introduction of Islam, the locals in this part of the world worshipped a deity called 'Bajar'. Dubai is believed to have been established in the 1700s as a fishing village. In the early 19th century, the Maktoum dynasty established their rule over the region.

During your cheap holidays to Dubai, you can visit Bastakiya, where the homes built in those times still exist and have been well-preserved even today. They were built mainly by the Persian merchants. As the ruler of Dubai at the beginning of the 20th century, Maktoum bin Hasher Al Maktoum, had not levied any taxes on imports and exports, many of the merchants had settled in the area. The frequent movement of cargo vessels through Dubai established its reputation as an emerging port and a trading hub. Until the 1930s, it was a small town and free port known for its pearl trade. However, the pearling industry collapsed during the Great Depression of 1929 and a border dispute with Abu Dhabi made things worse.

An intervention by the British resulted in settling this dispute. In the mid-20th century, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum used the trading revenues to build infrastructure in this part of the UAE. Oil was first discovered in the year 1966, which accelerated the development of the Emirati city. During your holidays to Dubai, you can visit the former residence of the rulers that has now been converted into a museum. While exploring this museum during your holidays, you can browse through many old photographs of the city and a few other items that would give you detailed information on the development of the Emirate and the city of Dubai.

The growth of Dubai continued even with the events of border disputes and the Gulf War of 1990. Many of the foreign establishments from Kuwait and Bahrain moved their businesses to Dubai. The city focused more on free trade and tourism after the Gulf War. In recent times, the low production levels and limited oil reserves have prompted it to rely on revenues from tourism, trade, real estate, and a few other sectors.

To find excellent options in cost-effective flights to Dubai, click here.