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29 March 2024

Click to take virtual tour of UAE's 10 most popular destinations in 2014

Published
By Vicky Kapur

It is that time of the year when social media giant Facebook pauses to reflect on its most popular topics and trends for users around the world.

With more than 1.35 billion active users on the platform, Facebook is expected to surpass the most populous country China in terms of population (1.367 billion) within this quarter.

So, a topic’s popularity on the platform is a better-than-average yardstick of what is popular in the real world. According to Facebook, its analysts combed through all the posts of its 1.35 billion active users from January to December to find the most-discussed topics, the most visited destinations and the most popular entertainers.

The UAE data published by Facebook lists the top 10 checked-into destinations in the country, and these 10 destinations contributed in a big way to visitor numbers. As Dubai firmly establishes itself as the regional and indeed global leader in tourism, It should come as no surprise that eight of the 10 most popular UAE destinations are landmarks in the emirate.

With the UAE’s tourism sector making big leaps since the country was founded 43 years ago, the sector’s value added would reach Dh60 billion this year, its highest level, according to a report by Abu Dhabi-based hotelandrest.com website.

The report forecast an increase in the number of tourists to the UAE in the coming years thanks to its modern infrastructure and facilities, stability, strong economy and the surge in operations by its carriers Etihad, Emirates, FlyDubai and Air Arabia.

Take a virtual tour of the UAE's top 10 most popular destinations that the world 'checked into' in 2014.

#10 Dubai Mall Aquarium & Underwater Zoo


The 10-million litre Dubai Aquarium tank, located on the Ground Level of the Dubai Mall, is one of the largest suspended aquariums in the world.

It houses thousands of aquatic animals, comprising over 140 species. Over 300 Sharks and Rays live in this tank, including the largest collection of Sand Tiger Sharks in the world. It also boasts of the 40-year-old, 750-kg King Croc and his female companion.

The main aquarium tank measures 51 metres in length, 20 metres in width and 11 metres in height. A 48-metre walk-through tunnel provides 270-degree views from 11 metres below the surface of the tank.

Visitors can also pay for a glass-bottom boat ride, which promises unique views of the tank from beneath your feet. Those who want to experience a dip in the tank can opt for a Cage Snorkelling Experience. And for the adventurous ones, a Shark Dive will bring you within inches of a large variety of sharks and rays.

Click here for a virtual tour of the Dubai Mall Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

#9 Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi

Emirates Palace is a ‘7-star’ luxury hotel in Abu Dhabi, built as a landmark showcasing the Arabian culture. Situated on 1.3-km of private beach and surrounded by 85 hectares of gardens and lawns, it has 114 domes that are 80 meters high. The landmark hotel comprising 394 rooms and suites opened in March 2005 even as certain restaurants and facilities did not open until 2006. The hotel was built by and is owned by the Abu Dhabi government, and managed by the Kempinski Group.

Watch a video:



 

#8 Dubai World Trade Centre



The Dubai World Trade Centre is the region’s largest purpose-built complex for events and exhibitions. It has played a pivotal role in the growth of international trade for the Middle East, ever since its inauguration in 1979. . Each year, DWTC events create more than 25,000 jobs or 36,000 including ancillary sectors that benefit from our events.

Its growth in 2014 is set to trump a bumper 2013, when DWTC saw a record 2.2 million visitors – the first time figures had broken the 2 million mark. “Dubai’s upgrade to emerging market status, as well as its awarding of Expo 2020, has driven significant global interest in the destination,” Ahmed Alkhaja, Senior Vice President of Venues for DWTC, said recently.

Click here to watch a video on why DWTC

 


#7 Mall of the Emirates


Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates calls itself the world’s first shopping resort, and with reason. The leisure destination includes 560 international brands, the largest Carrefour hypermarket in the city, Magic Planet family entertainment area, a 14-screen Vox Cinemas, Ski Dubai indoor ski resort and snow park, the 500-seat capacity Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre (Ductac) and over 90 dining and café options.

The mall’s Fashion Dome and Via Rodeo house over 80 of the world’s most renowned designer brands.  MoE also has two adjoining hotels: the 5-star Kempinski Mall of the Emirates and the 5-star Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates Hotel.

Watch a video:

 


#6 Ferrari World Abu Dhabi


Owned by Abu Dhabi’s Aldar Properties, Ferrari World is an amusement park located on Yas Island in the UAE capital, and lays claim to the title of the largest indoor theme park in the world. The park offers thrilling rides, exciting attractions, themed stores and restaurants, all inspired by the Ferrari brand and its Italian heritage.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi has more than 20 rides and attractions – from speed thrill rides to advanced simulators and family-friendly attractions – in addition to Italian restaurants, shopping experiences and entertainment. Formula Rossa, the world’s fastest rollercoaster with a top speed of 240km/h, is its primary attraction.

Watch video:

 


#5 Dubai Marina


Developed by Dubai master developer Emaar Properties, the 50 million sq ft Dubai Marina is one of the first and largest of its kind waterfront developments in the region, offering Riviera-style living in a modern setting. Dubai Marina has a large canal spanning 3.5 km offering access to the sea from both ends.

The popular mixed-use community features several high-rises with luxury apartments and villas. It comprises 10 districts each developed as a distinct community. The Dubai Marina Walk, which lines the waterfront, has a selection of cosmopolitan restaurants. With yachts moored along the Marina and some of the city’s best dining, entertainment and leisure facilities, Dubai Marina is a popular choice for the stylish and sophisticated. The development now also has the added convenience of the Dubai Tram.

Watch a Dubai Tram video:

 


#4 Burj Khalifa



Also built by Emaar Properties, Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest tower, and is dubbed as a vertical city that defines the can-do spirit of Dubai. A headlining accomplishment, Emaar describes Burj Khalifa as a living wonder that rises gracefully from the desert, honouring the city with its extraordinary union of art, engineering, and meticulous craftsmanship.

The stats are simply staggering: The tower 828 metres tall, comprises 200-plus storeys with 160 habitable levels, and boasts of a total built-up area of 5.67 million sq ft, of which 1.85 million sq ft is residential space and over 300,000 sq ft is office space. In addition, it also houses Armani Hotel Dubai and the Armani Residences.

The tower has been the site if several successful world record attempts, as well as a Tom Cruise-starrer Hollywood movie (Mission Impossible 4). Ever since it was launched in 2010, Burj Khalifa has been the centre of celebrations in Dubai, with its New Year’s fireworks show watched and appreciated across the world through live telecast even as hundreds of thousands of residents and tourists gather around it to watch them live.

Watch a video of the Burj Khalifa New Year 2014 fireworks:

 


#3 Atlantis The Palm, Dubai


Atlantis, The Palm beach resort is an aquatic wonderland located at the apex of the man-made islands of Palm Jumeirah. It was the first resort to be built on the island and is themed on the myth of Atlantis but includes distinct Arabian elements. The hotel has 20,000 sq ft of retail space including 'The Avenues', as well as 21 restaurants.

The 110-acres five-star resort opened on September 24, 2008,  and includes attractions like the Aquaventure water theme park, the Lost Chambers Aquarium with 65,000 fish and sea creatures including the Ambassador Lagoon, the Dolphin Bay dolphinarium, as well as a stretch of beach (with 700 sun beds) facing the Dubai skyline.

Watch a video:

 


#2 Miracle Garden Dubai


Home to more than 45 million flowers, Miracle Garden Dubai welcomed close to a million visitors last season, up 30 per cent form the nearly 700,000 people that visited the lush gardens during its first season (February 14 to May 18, 2013). Envisioned as a tourist attraction, the project was established by the landscaping company Akar. Floral displays change each season, keeping the excitement high for the repeat visitors.

The developers of the garden maintain that it has been possible to develop this oasis in the desert “through judicious re-use of waste water, through drip irrigation.” The garden remains closed at the peak of summer while the flower show is at its finest during the winter months.

Video:

 


#1 The Dubai Mall


Dubai Mall attracted 75 million visitors in 2013, making it the most visited shopping and entertainment destination in the world for the third consecutive year. Little wonder then that it tops the most checked-in locations in the UAE, especially considering that it is home to the No. 10 visited Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, and visitors to the No. 4 ranked Burj Khalifa have to go through it to access the tower.

The flagship mall of Emaar Malls, the Dubai Mall hosts 12.1 million sq ft of retail and entertainment space. Among its family entertainment components are KidZania, an innovative children’s ‘edutainment’ concept; Sega Republic, a 76,000 sq ft high indoor theme park; the 22-screen Reel Cinemas megaplex with a total capacity of 2,800 seats; and the Olympic-sized Dubai Ice Rink. The mall is also home to the real fossil of a 155-million-year-old dinosaur.

The Dubai Mall was formally opened on May 8, 2009. The spectacular opening ceremony was marked by the launch of The Dubai Fountain, the world's tallest performing fountain.

Watch a video of the formal opening of the Dubai Mall: