Dubai: No Drama?
A lot has been said about Dubai recently; the meltdown, the mass exodus, the panic and the future, but what about actual tremors felt inside the walls of the most famous of all the Emirates? Well, the answer is very few have been felt at all. Life goes on, nothing has really changed, the media here has been conspicuous in its absence of anything related to Dubai world and its non-ability to pay back its debt. Yet no one here is stupid either, we all read the western media and we know that it’s not all fun and games. But what does it all mean? Well fundamentally we remain positive, we see change on the horizon, a re-evaluation and resetting of expectations, and with it the potential for a really compelling place to be and do business.
A rather large tower opened in Dubai recently, which caused quite a stir. Even though it wasn’t deemed as news worthy a story as the perceived recent failures, it did just about manage to creep onto the radars of world media outlets. The launch and subsequent renaming of the Burj Khalifa reinforced what I had been feeling and experiencing for a while now. The credit crunch has brought about an apparent collective softening of Dubai and its approach to everything it does. Imagine if New York had named the State of Liberty, a wonderfully generous gift from France, the l’Napoleon Towers. That was the apparent magnitude of the gesture by Sheikh Mohammed.
Places like New York and London have already had to revaluate their position in the world before. Just think back to what London was like in the late 80’s early 90’s – a drab grey place, with archaic laws deeming town centres dead zones after 11pm. Step forward 20 years and it has radically changed; the cheap European flights that helped fuel a new era, a more cosmopolitan city a global gateway, young and alive with creativity and financial power. Now Dubai is doing the same. The financial powerhouse it was once trying to shape itself into has been pushed to one side as it focuses on what it might become. Three things we have witnessed, that gives us hope for optimism:
1. Dubai is aligning itself closely with its bigger brother, Abu Dhabi.
No longer are they in competition. Dubai is embracing its wealthy neighbour, their hand being somewhat forced, a very generous gift of $10b was a recent welcome respite. But more than that, more than the renaming of a large tower. If the UAE is to be seen as a serious player in many sectors and industries the two big Emirates have to join forces and create allegiances. Less working against, more working together. Dubai is ahead in so many aspects, Abu Dhabi is coming through strong, if they share and compare they could be quite a force.
2. Locals are culturally opening themselves up to the world.
During the EID holidays we witnessed, in the malls of Dubai, a very strange phenomena. Emiratis seemed to be approaching westerners and avoiding their fellow Arabs. Dubai municipality had setup EID booths staffed by locals, offering coffee and dates, and explaining its origin as a typical Arab welcome. Typically Emirates keep themselves to themselves, but not on this occasion – they where actively wanting to greet and educate on this most simplest form of Arab expression. Research we have conducted on foreign tourists has indicated that visitors want experiences typical of the region, could this be one small gesture in the right direction?
3. A realisation that no longer can we simply build it and they will come.
Sub consciously or not the Emiratis realise that they are up against some pretty fierce competition. Recently they have been lucky enough to host the final F1 race of the season and the FIFA Beach World Cup and they don’t seem to be taking anything for granted anymore. These events could have gone to any other major city or resort, instead the Emirate states won, and what a show they put on. I think as a major entertainment host Dubai and Abu Dhabi is really making immense strides. Yet, it wasn’t just a slick show. What was noticed most was the Arab fanfare and farewell. This included flags and locals in full dishdasha complete with falcons on their arm, wishing us a fond farewell and a desire to see us again in the future as we left. Leaving the British Grand Prix I can’t remember a guy waving a Union Jack with a pit-bull saying, ‘see you soon mate’.
Whatever it is we have witnessed, it sure resembles something of a step change, and the start of some green shoots. Where it’s coming from is anyone’s guess. My worry would be is this actually a collective thing? It’s vitally important that one central group orchestrates this movement, to help focus and channel the collective efforts of the various bodies involved. Only then will it become clear what Dubai stands for and it can start to resonate in the collective consciousness of all those who have started to doubt.
(David Bruce)