View Poll Results: How is it for you?
Awesome, we're making hay while the sun shines 360 days a year
5
9.80%
One wasp or two in the lager but going good
8
15.69%
Slowing but surviving
17
33.33%
Slowing and struggling
11
21.57%
Not quite suicidal yet
4
7.84%
I've nothing to do
5
9.80%
I've already dumped the 4x4 at the airport
1
1.96%
Voters: 51. You may not vote on this poll
How is business?
Dec 9th 2015, 7:00 am
#31
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Dubai
Posts: 13,547
Re: How is business?
will be interesting to see if the Dubai tourist industry benefits from the bombing of the Russian plane and the Russo-Turkish spat.
Dec 9th 2015, 9:11 am
#32
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Disneyland, Dubai
Posts: 15,887
Re: How is business?
Dubai is a very very expensive place these days and the currency is moving the wrong way. The other countries were attractive as they were cheap. I doubt these value tourists will be swapping to Dubai.
Dec 9th 2015, 9:36 am
#33
Gold-Helmeted Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Location: Setubal-ish
Posts: 688
Re: How is business?
Today in the news there are claims that the UAE is trying 41 people for a terrorist plot a year ago. While it's hard to really know if it's what the UAE says it is (let's face it, dictators hang on to power by banging up all political opposition on trumped up charges, so this is exactly what you'd expect if 41 civil rights campaigners signed a letter to the president calling for universal suffrage), it's not going to help the perception that the UAE is somehow immune to this kind of thing.
Last edited by captainflack; Dec 9th 2015 at 9:46 am.
Dec 9th 2015, 10:30 am
#34
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,520
Re: How is business?
It's a lose-lose situation.
The UAE has these trials to reassure everyone that they're serious about keeping a tight lid on any potential dissent and they certainly don't want anyone rocking the boat in this country. Notice how quickly they reacted to the Reem Island stabbing? Dictatorship or not, it's a benign one and one that works very well for the locals and expats. It is the ideal Muslim state and a rare role model. I have no criticism.
But the trials still signal to the rest of the world the potential for terror attacks, despite however small and certainly less than in, say, the UK. So by attempting to combat the perception of danger, they're only perpetuating it. It's unfair, isn't it?
Although there may have been other incidents which we know absolutely nothing about. I wouldn't be surprised. I don't think events have been hushed up but the odds that certain individuals / groups in the UAE were quietly eliminated before they could cause too much trouble is probably higher than we think.
As it is, I'm still waiting for the day when something big will happen. Just hope it's after I've left the country (again!).
The UAE has these trials to reassure everyone that they're serious about keeping a tight lid on any potential dissent and they certainly don't want anyone rocking the boat in this country. Notice how quickly they reacted to the Reem Island stabbing? Dictatorship or not, it's a benign one and one that works very well for the locals and expats. It is the ideal Muslim state and a rare role model. I have no criticism.
But the trials still signal to the rest of the world the potential for terror attacks, despite however small and certainly less than in, say, the UK. So by attempting to combat the perception of danger, they're only perpetuating it. It's unfair, isn't it?
Although there may have been other incidents which we know absolutely nothing about. I wouldn't be surprised. I don't think events have been hushed up but the odds that certain individuals / groups in the UAE were quietly eliminated before they could cause too much trouble is probably higher than we think.
As it is, I'm still waiting for the day when something big will happen. Just hope it's after I've left the country (again!).
Aside from the economic side (Dubai is expensive, Turkey and Egypt were at the cheap end), the present international focus on islamic terrorism is unlikely to do anything to help Dubai with either Russians or Europeans in general. I have plenty of friends who comment "I bet you're glad you're not out there now". Rightly or wrongly, there is a perception that the middle east is more dangerous than it's been for a long time and that even flying over it is a risk.
Today in the news there are claims that the UAE is trying 41 people for a terrorist plot a year ago. While it's hard to really know if it's what the UAE says it is (let's face it, dictators hang on to power by banging up all political opposition on trumped up charges, so this is exactly what you'd expect if 41 civil rights campaigners signed a letter to the president calling for universal suffrage), it's not going to help the perception that the UAE is somehow immune to this kind of thing.
Today in the news there are claims that the UAE is trying 41 people for a terrorist plot a year ago. While it's hard to really know if it's what the UAE says it is (let's face it, dictators hang on to power by banging up all political opposition on trumped up charges, so this is exactly what you'd expect if 41 civil rights campaigners signed a letter to the president calling for universal suffrage), it's not going to help the perception that the UAE is somehow immune to this kind of thing.
Dec 9th 2015, 10:35 am
#35
Bored liberal
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: Over there ----->
Posts: 13,713
Re: How is business?
It's currently suffering from a lack of Russians following the devaluation of the rouble. Why do you think Atlantis keeps spamming everyone with offers?
Dec 9th 2015, 10:42 am
#36
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Disneyland, Dubai
Posts: 15,887
Re: How is business?
A lot of retail was driven by Russians and Chinks buying stuff here that is either not available or not more expensive than at home. They are no longer coming, or if they do, are no longer buying.
Personal lending is also very down - i.e. houses and cars.
What sectors are up?
Dec 9th 2015, 10:47 am
#37
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2015
Location: Abu Dhabi via Barcelona
Posts: 1,478
Dec 9th 2015, 11:00 am
#38
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2012
Location: Dubai, working at Dust World Central
Posts: 3,706
Dec 10th 2015, 7:12 am
#40
Hit 16's
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine
Posts: 13,112
Dec 10th 2015, 9:11 am
#43
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2012
Location: Dubai, working at Dust World Central
Posts: 3,706
Dec 13th 2015, 6:44 am
#44
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2011
Location: Dubai
Posts: 379
Re: How is business?
This is also why retail is struggling. A lot of retail was driven by Russians and Chinks buying stuff here that is either not available or not more expensive than at home. They are no longer coming, or if they do, are no longer buying. Personal lending is also very down - i.e. houses and cars. What sectors are up?
Why is it that so many things are going more and more expensive?
Was in Dubai mall to exchange an item made in Italy, prices were up 20% over last month. The manager had the gall to say it was because of the "weak dollar", lol !
Dec 13th 2015, 7:09 am
#45
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Disneyland, Dubai
Posts: 15,887
Re: How is business?
When retail/cars/hotels/restaurants are not doing well, they tend to either lower prices or at the very least, not increase them, as in 08/09.
Why is it that so many things are going more and more expensive?
Was in Dubai mall to exchange an item made in Italy, prices were up 20% over last month. The manager had the gall to say it was because of the "weak dollar", lol !
Why is it that so many things are going more and more expensive?
Was in Dubai mall to exchange an item made in Italy, prices were up 20% over last month. The manager had the gall to say it was because of the "weak dollar", lol !
Dubai is adding almost 35% more hotel rooms over the next 10 months. Awesome stuff.
