DUBAI – United Arab Emirates, Home to the Wealthy

Dubai is not just a city; it’s a symbol of ambition, opportunity, and endless possibilities.

By Ron McGinty

This past month, I traveled over forty thousand miles with my wife, Diane. I will offer an overview of Australia and New Zealand via Dubai.

Starting with Dubai, the weather was unfortunately very overcast during our visit, and not suitable for photography.

Dubai is thousands of years old and began as a fishing and trading post. Today’s city is a melting pot of more than two hundred cultures, attracting people worldwide. The Emirates is very strict in enforcing its laws; consequently, crime is not tolerated. People value working in Dubai and living in a prosperous environment.

An Apartment Building

Residents must be financially self-sufficient or work; if not, they are deported. The city’s commitment to preserving its cultural roots while embracing the future is a testament to its resilience and vision.

Dubai is not just a city; it’s a symbol of ambition, opportunity, and endless possibilities. In less than twenty years, it has grown into a world-renowned city of expatriates, enjoying its income-tax-free environment.

Home to over sixty-eight thousand millionaires, over two hundred of which have a net worth of over one hundred million dollars and many billionaires. Simply astounding for its dimensions.

Recognized for its extravagant architecture, Dubai boasts iconic landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, and the sail shaped Burj Al Arab Hotel, symbolizing the city’s relentless pursuit of excellence and grandeur.

Its skyline is a testament to architectural audacity, with gleaming towers piercing the desert sky.

The Museum of the Future

We rode for miles, astonished by the lavish hotels, condos, villas, and single family homes. There are blocks after blocks of villas worth over fifty million dollars.

Have a passion for shopping? The Dubai Mall is your dreamland with over twelve hundred stores. All the famous designers offer opportunities to browse, drool, and go home with a shopping bag. Included in its twelve million square feet are a world-class aquarium and underwater zoo, ice skating rink, King Crocodile exhibit, and more.

Visiting the Museum of the Future, one can see the emphasis on architectural awareness and dreams without constraints. A robot dog roams the floor using artificial intelligence to meet and react to the crowds— with a silver twenty-foot blimp hovering above. The main lobby was crammed with tourists from around the world.

The Al Maktoum family is one of the ruling families of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), specifically of the Emirate of Dubai. The family traces its lineage to the Al Bu Falasah tribe, which is historically associated with the region. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the current ruler of Dubai and the Prime Minister as well as the Vice President of the United Arab Emirates.

Dubai’s combination of luxury, safety, business opportunities, tax benefits, and quality of life makes it a preferred destination for wealthy individuals seeking a cosmopolitan lifestyle and investment opportunities in a dynamic and rapidly growing city.

We flew on Emirates Airlines for the whole trip to the other side of the planet and never have I experienced a higher level of service. There are only sixteen first class cabins with three dedicated flight attendants. It was a splurge but a memorable experience, encompassing over thirty hours in the air. Emirates even provided limo transportation to/from Naples. I will provide two more articles on my complete trip in subsequent issues.

ronmcginty.com