The world’s biggest mall will expand in the future, as the UAE plans to improve tourism after a massive increase in visitors in 2022 after the pandemic. Although the Covid-19 situation made it difficult to return to pre-pandemic rates, the government is optimistic about the progress.
According to Statista, the number of international tourists arriving in the UAE in 2019 reached 25.3 million but fell considerably in 2020. The numbers barely increased in 2021, but 2022 brought the UAE closer to its previous rates.
There’s no wonder tourism boomed so rapidly, as the government invested considerably in developing world-class tourist sites and entertainment theme parks. At the same time, cultural landmarks are of the finest, including Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Fountain, and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre.
Luckily, more is to come.
1.5 billion dirhams for the Dubai Mall expansion
Recently, Emaar Properties, the popular real estate developer that also created Burj Khalifa, announced that massive funding will be part of the expansion of the Dubai Mall, with 240 new luxury stores included. The massive mall already has over 1,200 stores and 200 restaurants, but the additional ones will add great value to one of the most visited malls in the world.
While there’s no update on the starting date of the construction, it might happen soon, considering how much the UAE wants to improve tourism, contributing to 12.1% of the country’s GDP.
Is the Dubai Mall worth visiting?
With about 350,000m2 of retail floor, the mall has everything you’ve ever dreamt of in one place. With Cinema screens, restaurants, car parks, and many more activities for recreation and shopping, the place holds numerous world records and achievements. Besides having the world’s largest aquarium, the most-visited shopping centre, and the largest OLED screen in the world, the mall is also known for hosting millions of visitors.
The Dubai Mall isn’t the only massive attraction in the city, but it will surely take you at least one full day to see it completely. There are many other activities to try, such as safari tours or overnight desert BBQs, so we recommend looking into all possible options. Considering you might be remote for a while and need internet coverage, try getting an eSIM for reliable internet. You can read more about UAE plans to fit your needs by how many days you’re visiting.
Is the Dubai Mall experience expensive?
Since you’re going to one of the most luxurious spots in the UAE, you should expect the prices of everything to be substantial. Luxury cars, clothes, and experiences are catered for the richest, but that doesn’t mean you cannot simply visit them.
However, if you still want to go around shopping in malls but have a limited budget, many other malls are cheaper, such as the following:
- The Outlet Village has massive discounts on a variety of brands;
- The Dubai Outlet Mall receives stocks from the last season’s products, so they’re always on sale;
- Retold has second-hand clothes;
- Garderobe has pre-owned luxury brands;
- Dragon Mart has cheap garments imported from China;
How expensive is the UAE in general?
Besides Dubai, the most expensive city in the UAE, you may wonder how pricey the country is generally in terms of accommodation, food, and entertainment costs. Living there for a while would surely put a strain on your budget, which is why there are cheaper alternatives that offer equally valuable services and products.
For example, living in Abu Dhabi is significantly more affordable, but you may also consider
Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, or Ajman. What’s best about UAE is that the entire country is tax-free, so there are no taxes on personal income, but they sometimes apply to businesses or import duties.
Regardless, if you want to experience the UAE culture, know that factors like property value and fame make Dubai so expensive, but costs decrease significantly when you reach to other areas.
What are the best experiences in the UAE?
You can do many things in the UAE, regardless of the city. While Dubai is best for the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa and other towns also offer unique spots and experiences. For example, if you’re travelling to Abu Dhabi, you must see the Emirates Palace, one of the most luxurious hotels in the world. The Empty Quarter is also wonderful with its striking dunes and natural beauty.
If you’re going to Ajman, you need to take a boat at the Ajman Dhow Building Yard to explore the surroundings. You could also hike in the village of Masfout between the Hajar Mountains. Fujairah is also well-known for its bull-butting, camel and horseracing events in open areas. For extreme sports lovers, diving in the DiBa Rock is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Unique experiences in Dubai for adrenaline lovers
Adrenaline is no stranger to those who want to partake in thrilling adventures in Dubai. For example, you could visit one of the biggest aquariums in the world, which has a tank full of crocodiles and sharks that will casually swim above you.
On the other hand, experiencing a desert safari in Dubai in a massive 4X4 might make you never want to enter a car again, as the arid desert plains make up the best spot for car racing. But if you want to be above the ground, you can take a helicopter flight and see the city from the skyline.
One of the most thrilling things in Dubai is walking on the famous cracking glass floor at Burj Khalifa. Don’t worry; there’s no risk of falling, as the cracking sounds come from a VR experience on the 125th floor.
What do you think about Dubai?
Dubai is the biggest and most expensive city in the UAE and for relevant reasons. It has the world’s most visited attractions, such as Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall. The latter will soon receive an improvement with 240 new luxury stores as the government plans to boost tourism.
