The key heritage sites are a major tourist landmark in Dubai. The emirate is developing its present, looking forward to the future and, at the same time, maintains its originality.

This prestigious house with its four wind catchers (Barjils) is located along the creek at the direction of Bur Dubai. It was built in 1896 to be the headquarters of the ruler. It was named after Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum who lived there till his death in 1958. It covers a large area and has an old style. The height of the house ranges among different parts between one and two floors. It contains a large number of rooms, windows and bathrooms in the form of separate suites. It has two entrances; the main one overlooking the Khor Dubai via a secure yard leading to the living room and the guest room. The courtyard leads to the main plaza around which five separate suites are distributed with each containing a window, a living rooms and a number of other rooms. The other entrance, however, is located opposite to the building and it seems that it was built for the members of the family. At night, bright lights fill the house which is considered as a landmark of Dubai’s outstanding architectural heritage and age-old culture. The House of Sheikh Saeed has been turned into a museum of historical documents and photographs of the Emirate of Dubai.

Al Fuhaidi Fortress

Established in 1877, Al Fuhaidi Fortress protected the areas that were parallel or near to the city. The ruler lived there until 1890, when the late Sheikh Maktoum Bin Hasher Al Maktoum moved to Al Shindagha which is nearer to Khor Dubai. The fortress embodies a significant era in the history of Dubai, as it lies at the heart of the heritage area of Bur and serves as a bridge between the unique past and the advanced development of the emirate.

At the east of the fortress lies the court which features the architectural style of the surrounding heritage area. Up north is the old Souk, while modern commercial centers are located at the south and the west. Today, the fortress has become a part of the Dubai Museum which has incorporated a new section – excluding the lobby- that was built under the ground to maintain a good view of the fortress. The Museum was open to the public in March 1995 and showcases state-of-the-art audiovisuals that capture both the prosperous past and the flourishing present of Dubai. The Dubai Museum is certainly one of the local sites worth visiting.

Al Bastakiya

Located in Bur Dubai, the Al Bastakiya district dates back to the early 20th century and covers the eastern part of the heritage area opposite the Khor. It is 300m long and 200m wide to the south. The district features a significant epoch in the history of architecture and urban development in Dubai which saw architects leaving enduring monuments to heritage. The designs of wind catchers, plaster artifacts, woodwork and zigzag lanes spreading all throughout the area continue to amaze both visitors and artists.

Culture

All across the UAE, there are many national, governmental, cultural, and scientific organizations that take on leading roles in spreading culture and the sciences, enriching literary and cultural movements, reviving and preserving popular heritage, and nurturing creative talents.

Among the most important of these organizations in Dubai is the Cultural & Scientific Association, the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre for Cultural Understanding, the Juma Al Majid Center for Culture and Heritage, the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation, Ousha bint Hussein Cultural Center, the UAE Writers Union, and the UAE Women Writers League.

The cultural and educational awards sponsored by different governmental and national organizations and institutions include the Sheikh Rashid Award for Scientific Distinction, the Zayed International Prize for the Environment, the Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Distinguished Academic Performance, the Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences, the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Award and the Al Owais Award for Research and Scientific Innovation, as well as the Sheikha Latifa Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Child Creativity, the Rashid Award for Humanitarian Studies, the Arab Journalism Award, and the Dubai International Holy Qur'an Award.

In 2003, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum issued a law which formed the Dubai Cultural Council. The Council’s main role was to motivate the cultural movement within Dubai and throughout the United Arab Emirates.

Later, in March 2005, in his capacity as the Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum issued a new law which established the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority to be responsible for achieving the culture and arts goals under the Dubai Strategic Plan’s framework for 2021.

The Authority aims to promote Dubai’s position as one of the most culturally diverse international cities that brings the East and the West together. It also encourages the residents of Dubai, who come from more than 200 nationalities, to interact and contribute to culture and the arts by offering awards to creative and bright individuals and also by honoring patrons from this field.

There have been many creative initiatives that have taken place in this regard. For example, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum recently launch seven new initiatives aimed at preserving and promoting the Arabic language.

The UAE Ministry of Culture documents and disseminates the country’s heritage and cultural creativity by publishing materials, supporting digital content on the internet, sponsoring photography exhibitions, and compiling a ‘Who's Who’ of UAE creatives including artists, writers, poets and painters.

Broadcasting and print media organizations also play vital roles in developing the national culture by encouraging intellectual, literary and creative output, supporting cultural projects, keeping up with science and knowledge, and spreading culture.

Education has had the greatest impact on the propagation of culture and science. This is mainly due to the fact that education is compulsory in the UAE and that there are many schools all over the region. There are several notable scientific entities, such as government and private institutes and universities dedicated to the service of various community segments.

Launched in 2001, the Dubai Knowledge Village supported by the Government of Dubai is an indispensable source of culture. The education free zone hosts around 200 organizations that include international universities, online academic institutions and e-learning providers from all around the world.

Tourism

Tourism is a crucial factor in the growth of the UAE economy, especially in Dubai where trade plays an important and essential role in tourist activities. The emirate was historically well-known for its flourishing pearl trade and its strong business ties with India and neighboring countries. In the years that followed, the tourism sector steadily grew and evolved, developing dramatically with the discovery of oil in Dubai which turned the city into a hub for aspiring and ambitious businessmen.

With Dubai’s present economic boom, the government is now focused on providing all the necessary infrastructure for the basic elements of tourism which can help improve this sector further in the region – including the development of modern shopping malls offering renowned international brands, exquisite hotels and restaurants satisfying the diverse tastes of tourists, etc.

Dubai’s so-called ‘availability of convenience’ is sought by tourists and has made the emirate a preferred travel destination. Main attractions include the Burj Khalifa – the world's tallest building, Burj Al Arab, Madinat Jumeirah, Bab Al Shams and Al Maha Desert Resorts.

The emirate is also renowned for the diversity of its tourism programs, activities and festivals – all of which are aimed at foreign tourists as well as local, GCC and Arab communities. The Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) which takes place every winter together with the Dubai Summer Surprises Festival and their entertainment events has made the Emirate of Dubai a popular and competitive tourist destination.

The variety of programs and activities available – including safari trips, horse and camel riding, henna drawings and tattoos, art shows, heritage site tours, sky diving, balloon rides over sand dunes, cruises, swimming, diving, flying tours over the Dubai Marina, Madinat Jumeirah, Palm Jumeirah, the World Islands, Dubai Creek, etc. – has created a successful competitive environment for tourism.

According to a study published by the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Dubai welcomed 7.84 million tourists in 2009 and 8.63 million in 2010, with the figures continuing to rise in 2011 and 2012.

Dubai ranked seventh among the world’s top 10 holiday destinations for the first quarter of 2012, according to reports by the British Passports Website (Home Away).