- United Arab Emirates
The UAE has developed into a worldclass touristic destination and acquired a well deserved high rank on the world tourism map. The Nation has impressive attractions supported by security, stability, strategic geographic location and advanced infrastructure.
Announced as a federation of seven Emirates comprising of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, and Fujairah on 2 December 1971, the UAE is located in the south-east of the Arabian Peninsula.
Each emirate has its own identity based on a heritage developed over thousands of years. This diversity cements the Union by enriching the integration among its seven emirates.
Indeed, the Nation is the creation of a long history that goes back thousands of years. It’s government has made great efforts to conserve and document such a rich and diversified heritage for the future generations. The UAE’s foreign policy is based on established guiding principles of mutual respect and peaceful relations with neighboring nations.
The culture of tourism promotes the respect of nature, environment, citizens, residents and visitors of the host country. Tourism is a globalizing activity that facilitates cross border movement of people and education of destinations and their cultures.
Reinforcing touristic awareness within governments and societies can help in supporting sustainable social and economic development. The objective is to change wrong perceptions and practices related to tourism in addition to the development of a tourist-friendly environment.
Tourism promotes intercultural understanding and respect among nations. It is furthermore, expected to develop a common ground that bolsters our universal ethics and values and introduces a responsible tourism. Nevertheless, touristic activities must go in line with the destination’s features, with respect to their traditions, norms, and laws.
This holy month has a special status for all Muslims in the Islamic world.
In UAE, this month has its sacred consideration, as it has privileged and distinctive behaviors and worshiping practices in relation with moral and social sides. Non-Muslims are not permitted to eat and drink during the fasting period from sunrise to sunset in public places, in respect for the sanctity of this month. This avoids any violation of the law in the country. By the end of the holy month Eid al-Fitr begins for three days, and the closure of the official and private sectors in the country; people and relatives exchange greetings, gifts and visits.
Language
Arabic is the official language of the UAE, but English is used on a large scale.
Directions and guidance are available in both Arabic and English.
Traditions
Traditional National Dress: An Emirati man wears a traditional dress (Kandorah or dishdasha) predominantly white, accompanied by a headscarf called (Ghotrah) fixed by a black headband called (Ikal). On some occasions, citizens wear a thin cloak over their clothes called (Besht). The women wear long black loose cloak (Abaya), with a headscarf (Sheila), some wear a veil covering the face (Neqab). These clothes are of course not binding on other visitors and residents.
UAE derives its cultural roots from Islamic and Arabic teaching and tradition. Islam is the official religion of the state and is embraced by its citizens. It mandates daily practices to reach the spiritual and intellectual sides.
Islam governs the way of life and practice, such as clothing, food and drink, including customs and traditions, religious and sacred practices.
The customs and traditions of Arabs and Emiratis; start from generosity, hospitality, and welcoming others, in addition to acceptance of different types of people; visitors, residents and tourists.
Practices and Religious Rites
Islam rituals are clearly and daily practiced in the UAE. The call to prayer over loudspeakers is heard five different times in a day, (worship houses), throughout the Emirates.
The five pillars of Islam: testifying that there is no god except Allah and that Mohammad is his Messenger, performing prayer, paying the zakat, fasting Ramadan, pilgrimage to the Sacred House for those who can afford (in Mecca). The UAE also respects other religions. Visitors can identify the basics and teachings of Islamic religion, and non-Muslim tourists can visit some mosques by prior arrangement with a travel agent or hotel.
Government departments, embassies and consulates open from 7:30 am to 14:30 pm. Embassies and consulates may fix specific times during the day to deal with and follow up some special requests (passport applications); therefore, it is always better to call before the visit. Weekend days are Friday and Saturday, where most of the institutions close their doors. Although shops and tourist facilities are open to visitors during the weekend, on Friday activities begin after prayers.
*Please refer to the websites to find out opening times.
Working hours during the holy month of Ramadan
The majority of shops amend their work hours during the holy month of Ramadan. They re-open after an hour or two after sunset, and continue until midnight.
Groceries and restaurants remain closed in general, or they only provide delivery service during the day, and re-open to provide Eftar after sunset.
Lightweight summer clothing is appropriate for most days of the year. It is preferable to wear conservative clothes and not to wear transparent, narrow or short clothes; this is to show respect to the norms of the country and of the society.
Beaches Guidelines:
It is strictly prohibited to wear swimwear (bikinis and shorts) outside beaches according to the applicable rules imposed on clothing in the UAE. Acts and behavior against or contrary to public morality on the beaches are prohibited as well.
Prohibited Behaviors:
- It is strictly prohibited to do any act that offends public decency.
- It is strictly prohibited to use alcohol beverages in public places and while driving.
- Smoking is strictly prohibited in public places and official buildings, real estate and commercial centers that carry a sign of no smoking.
- UAE adopts strict policies including imprisonment for drug use and dealing.
Camera and Video Photography
It is strictly prohibited to take photographsof government buildings, military and official institutions bearing “no photo” signs, and of some places where women and children are. It is preferable to take the permission of people before taking their photos.
The UAE dirham is the official currency of the UAE, it is referred to in International currency codes as (AED) in English and it equals to 100 fils.
Cash handling is still the preferred method of payment in the UAE, despite the deployment of credit card handling.
One can exchange foreign currency and travelers cheques at licensed exchange offices, banks and hotels. While the only requirement to exchange traveler’s cheques is usually by showing one’s passport, it becomes a little bit more challenging to deal with personal cheques in light of the reluctance of many authorities to accept dealing with them. Whether you are shopping in traditional markets and shopping centers or in commercial shops, cash remains the best option available and credit card payment facilities are almost always available.
Tourism for All (Special Needs)
Most of hotel facilities, shopping malls, public places, parking lots, and airports, provide customized services for those who use wheelchairs.
Public transport
There are several airports in the country (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Al Ain).
There are also Information offices to respond to your queries. Other means of transportation also available are public busses, and public and private taxis, the water ferry and the Dubai Metro (only available in Dubai).
- Beginning of the calendar year:
1 January / one day. - Prophet’s Birthday:
12 of Rabee Awwal in each Hijri year * / one day. - Isra’ and Miraj:
27 of Rajab in each Hijri year * / one day. - Eid al-Fitr:
1of Shawwal in each Hijri year * / 3 days. - Waqfat Arafa:
the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah every Hijri year * / one day. - Eid al-Adha:
the tenth of Dhul-Hijjah every Hijri year * / 3 days. - Beginning of Hijri year:
first of Muharram in each Hijri year * / one day. - National Day:
December 2 and December 3 / 2 days.
* Hijri year: months are known in the Islamic and Arab countries which are adopted in Fasting, pilgrimage, and other religious practices.
The country adopts initiatives and measures to protect the environment through the issuance of laws that regulate fishing and protecting wildlife and nature, including the procedures for veterinary and agricultural quarantine under the slogan "What You Carry May Harm"
Useful information Important Numbers in the UAE
- Police
- Ambulance
- Civil Defense – Fire fighting
- Tourism police secition (Abu Dhabi)
- Management of tourism security (Dubai)
- : 999
- : 998
- : 997
- : 8002626
- : 8004438
- Etisalat
- Du
- : 181
- : 199
- Yellow pages
- Federal Customs Authority
- Ministry of Health
- Ministry of Environment & Water
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority
www.abudhabitourism.ae
Telephone: +971 2 4440444
Fax : +971 2 4418418
Dubai
Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing
www.dubaitourism.ae
Telephone: +971 4 2821111
Fax : +971 4 2821131
Sharjah
Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Development Authority
www.sharjahtourism.ae
Telephone: +971 6 5566777
Fax : +971 6 5563000
Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority
www.rasalkhaimahtourism.com
Telephone: +971 7 2338998
Fax : +971 7 2338118
Ajman
Ajman Tourism Development Department
info@ajmantourism.ae
Telephone: +971 6 7116666
Fax : +971 6 7116665
Umm Al Quwain
Department of Archeology and Heritage
Telephone: +971 6 7650888
Fax : +971 6 7650777
Fujairah
Fujairah Tourism & Antiquities Authority
www.fujairah-tourism.gov.ae
Telephone: +971 9 2231554
Fax : +971 9 2231006
