As more and more Emiratis are traveling internationally, they are expanding the geographic reach of their travels all the time. While the choice destinations for UAE citizens might have once been limited to a few select places, they are now branching out broader and broader.
So, where are the new destinations that people are heading towards? And what do they have to offer? The answer is: a lot. And Dubai's being a global hub makes it easy to get flights to any number of places. Let's take a closer look.
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Central Asia
Central Asia has seen a massive rise in tourism in recent years. While the immediate post-Soviet independence period might have started a bit slowly for the five “stans” in the region, they have quickly picked up steam in recent years. And as fellow Muslim countries, Emirates feel a natural solidarity with people in the region.
Indeed, there is a lot going on just a short distance north-east of the UAE. Specifically:
- Kazakhstan is the region's cultural and touristic epicenter. With the highest GDP in the region, Kazakhstan has solidified itself as a stable country with a unique blend of traditional nomadic culture and modern facilities, the country offers touristic potential for visitors with various interests. You can go horseback riding in the Kazakh steppes, try local dishes made from horsemeat and other local delicacies, and even get there easily by finding flights Almaty Kazakhstan.
- Uzbekistan is another rising tourist gem in the region. With historical treasures such as Samarkand, Burkhart, and other ancient Silk Road points now completely fixed up for tourists, people can visit, dine near, and find a whole range of accommodations across the country. And Uzbekistan now boasts an impressive high-speed rail system that rivals the best in the world.
- Intra-Silk Road travel is also becoming a thing. With most Central Asian countries having friendly visa regimes, many tourists are choosing packages that take them throughout the region and allow them to visit several important places along this historical route.
The Caucasus
There is increasing interest in the Caucasus among Emirati citizens, particularly in Azerbaijan and Georgia. As the world is discovering this historical gem of a region that lies just at the corner of Europe, Azerbaijan and Georgia have been massively ramping up tourist services. Particular places of interest include:
- The cities of Baku, Sheki and Gabala in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan's capital is known globally as “the original oil town,” and boasts an interesting recent history with the start of oil exploration having taken place in the mid-19th century. Tourists can also visit the towns of Sheki, which was also part of the Silk Road, and Gabala, which is an urban area surrounded by spectacular woods and mountains. Azerbaijan also has a vibrant traditional culture, and its teahouses are famous worldwide.
- Historical sites across Georgia. Tourism in Georgia is booming recently, and visitors from far and wide come to sample its superb cuisine and wine, and to enjoy its hospitality in general. There are also numerous historical sites scattered across the country, mountains to hike, hot springs to bathe in, and more.
The Maldives
Once a small group of islands seemingly doomed to perpetual obscurity, The Maldives has exploded into one of the world's most popular tourist destinations in recent years. Ever since the first luxury resort opened on Kurumba Island in 1972, the islands have been attracting more and more tourists every year, and visitors from the Emirates have been growing in recent years.
Among the many lures of The Maldives are:
- Its stunning natural beauty. The islands boast some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, with stunning white sand beaches, diverse marine life, and lush green vegetation.
- A wide range of water activities. Tourists interested in snorkeling, swimming, diving, and even fishing will find a veritable paradise in the waters surrounding the islands.
- Year-round ideal temperatures. No matter when your vacation days fall, you can go to the Maldives confident that you will be getting just the weather that you are looking for in an ideal vacation.
Get your tickets now
These are just a few of the rising tourist spots for Emirati citizens. As mentioned above, though, Dubai is one of the world's biggest hubs and a place from which you can get reasonable flights to many places around the world. So if you have a spot in mind that you would like to visit, look it up and see what its visa policies are for Emirati citizens. Fortunately, the UAE passport is considered one of the strongest in the world, so there is a fair likelihood of being granted visa-free travel to many places. Once you've got your tickets secured, you can start focusing on the details of your dream vacation.
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