Reviewing Tourism and Urban Development in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

Cities are emerging as tourist hubs and heritage-based leisure is central to economic diversification strategies that improve conditions to residents and visitors. Within this context, urban tourism has gained prominence in the international travel market. Considering the expansion of tourism in the Arabian Gulf States, it is important to reflect on the role it can play in the expansion strategies of cities, building on global practice. This paper explores a particular aspect of this reality, namely the incorporation of heritage elements and their commodification in the urban setting of the United Arab Emirates. It elaborates on recent sources and addresses related issues such as cultural preservation, destination branding, and economic impact. The results consist of an overview of the balance between benefits and drawbacks when using urban heritage features as a tool for tourism development.