In order for Dubai to survive the worldwide recession and nurture their burgeoning reputation as a must-visit destination, the weak and frivolous projects must suffer in favor of things that actually contribute to the city. Thus, we are only somewhat surprised to learn of the failure of the multi-billion-dollar project of man-made islands called "The World."

After all, the islands were only due to be accessibly by the richest of the rich, with no dynamic plans for the future after the many moneyed residents built their homes on the islands. The Burj Dubai and Dubai metro system will however positively impact both locals and tourists—that's why they get the go-ahead during these rough times while The World ends. ]]> JetSetCD 2009-09-29T09:13:34-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/9/28/124811/915

To tell you the truth, we're torn on the issue of tourism in Dubai. Is it a theme park of a city that caters to tourists versus travelers, or is it worth the visit for the unique experiences? Who knows when we'll find out since the place is so firmly out of budget anyways.

Just in case you also like to entertain the thought that a trip to Dubai is in your future, you'll either be delighted or scared shitless to learn that the famous Burj Dubai skyscraper is due to have its observation deck on the 124th floor. Of course the 160+ story building needs to be completed first, and that won't be happening until early December. In the meantime, the building is readying to open the world's first Armani Hotel in the first 37 stories. But let's hear a little more about that vertigo-inducing observation deck, shall we? ]]> JetSetCD 2009-09-28T13:08:50-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/9/24/172437/057

As much as we would have loved to have a video of a plane landing over the JW Marriott Hotel in Dubai in this story, it seems as though there is a serious dearth of photos and videos from plane spotters at DXB-Dubai International Airport. So let us then recommend a spot at which to make some: the aforementioned JW Marriott Hotel.

By requesting a room facing the runways, which usually run around $250 per night, you will get for yourself a truly awesome view of takeoffs and landings at the neighboring airport. The hotel sits at the end of a runway, so you won't feel as though you are sleeping at the airport, and it's luxurious enough to banish all thoughts of airport concessions. The key, however, is in asking for that runway-facing room without seeming suspicious. ]]> JetSetCD 2009-09-24T17:26:24-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/9/21/12318/7140

Dubai is a city of many superlatives, and as a result of their trying to build for themselves a great entertaining metropolis, the city seems constantly under construction. At least one major product was finished this month however, as the Arabian Gulf's first metro system opened on 09/09/09, transporting more than 366,968 in its first week and some 60,000 people this last Friday alone.

The metro is comprised of 11 trains and two lines, green and red, and is already seeing congestion with passengers more than eager to leave their cars at home. The five busiest stations even have attendants wearing "ask me" buttons; they are: Al Rashidya station, City Center, Union Square, Mall of Emirates and Nakheel Harbour and Tower. According to PSFK, "Dubai has been attempting to diversify its oil-dependent economy for some time... [and] has come to be seen by many as a leader in forging the Gulf’s way to more sustainable infrastructural development." ]]> JetSetCD 2009-09-21T13:43:41-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/8/25/231759/263

Good old flashy Dubai might be one of the world's largest consumers of gold-covered cars, but apparently they think they're too cool for school to use a seatbelt. Thanks to Luxist, we hear that drivers in the United Arab Emirates are so loathe to use seatbelts, that the country is lauching its own aggressive seatbelt safety campaign a la the US and France.

WIth only 11% of Emiratis deigning to strap themselves in, auto accidents in Dubai and Abu Dhabi especially are oftentimes more serious than what should be. As a result, the seatbelt safety campaign wants to appeal to residents' love of luxury and fashion by painting the seatbelt as a statement, as well as safety, item.

How will they do this, you ask? Well, by printing seatbelts with logos of luxury brands, or your favorite team, or the Emirati flag. We imagine a taxi cab picking us up from Dubai's airport, and we climb into a back seat to buckle up with Armani belts. Luxist points out that luxury brands aren't exactly liberal with the use of their intellectual property and might poo-poo use of logos, but we bet that soon you'll able to buy seatbelts in Dubai slathered with the (unofficial) Louis Vuitton Damier pattern nonetheless.

Related Stories:
· Will Dubai Drivers Wear Gucci Seatbelts? [Luxist]
· Dubai Travel Coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: uncle boatshoes]]]> JetSetCD 2009-08-26T08:39:40-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/8/6/9176/50522

It's 8pm in Dubai and you've been holed up in your hotel room working straight through dinner, and now your stomach is rumbling for a yummy shawarma. Be prepared to sign your life away in return for some Dubai take-out, as our friend Neal Ungerleider informs, because restaurants in the glittering capital of high-rise construction cranes are requiring diners to sign releases in case of possible food poisoning.

This comes after the food poisoning deaths of a 5-year-old boy and his 7-year-old sister, children of an Air France flight attendant who lives in Dubai. And since litigation is no fun thing, restaurants in the city are arming themselves with warning stickers on food bags, advising customers to consume food within two hours of purchase. Even more direct and unsettling is being presented with a release form, as you are at the Kempinski Hotel Mall. The waiver goes a little something like this: ]]> JetSetCD 2009-08-06T09:17:06-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/8/4/81326/48389

The Dubai Festival City, full of luxury hotels and entertaining shops, is getting a kind of spooky addition: the Casper Theme Park, due to open up early in 2010. Our favorite friendly ghost has decided to haunt ever-expanding Dubai and no doubt make the developers a pack of money, especially since a new Casper TV series is due to launch later this year.

The Casper Theme Park will include the biggest monorail in the Middle East along with a rollercoaster and various other rides and games. They're obviously hoping this will put Dubai onto the list of places kids beg their parents to take them too, and it sounds like more child-friendly attractions might be in the pipeline.]]> amandak 2009-08-04T14:04:29-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/