Dubai not just for the rich, claims author

Dubai is a holiday destination not just for the very wealthy, it has been claimed.

According to Lara Dunston, the author of DK Eyewitness Dubai, people of all walks of life are attracted to the country, news which may be of interest to those thinking about taking a gap year.

'There is so much more to Dubai than the glitzy side to the city we read about in the foreign press,' she commented, adding that it boasts a rich cultural heritage 'rooted in Bedouin traditions of hospitality and Islam'.

Ms Dunston also reminds those considering a visit to Dubai that it is an Islamic country, though a relatively tolerant one. She adds that Brits should dress respectfully while visiting Dubai.

In January this year, Dubai, which attracts around 700,000 tourists a year, was voted the best destination in the Middle East and Africa at the Irish Travel Trade News Awards.