Spring Break Holidays in Dubai
Springtime Migration of Students to Persian Gulf Metropolis
Feb 25, 2009
Dubai, the cultural and event center of the Middle East, has an ever growing numbers of students descending upon it every spring break. Beginning in February, the universal undergraduates traverse the oceans and continents so as to sunbathe along the Persian Gulf beaches. They are found dune boarding, camel riding, scuba diving and wind surfing by day and dancing the night away in clubs, bars and hotels scattered throughout the Emirate.
History of Dubai's Spring Break
Dubai has been a crossroads for seafaring merchants for centuries. Located up the natural safe harbor, now called The Creek, sailors found a haven for their vessels and an outlet for their wares. On the west side of the Straits of Hormuz, Dubai openly received strangers from Asia and Europe as well as Bedouins and fishermen from neighboring clans. Once the Maktoum Family led some 800 members of the Bani Yas tribe to set up the Deira Souk (or trading port) on the Creek; spring would take on a different meaning in the region.
Dubai spring gained notoriety as sailors spread accounts of the calm waters throughout the region. The Arabian Sea to India and East Asia took a hiatus between the winter storms of the southern hemisphere and summer cyclonic hurricanes in India. The waters around Africa and the deserts of Saudi Arabia were calm and easily traversed by traders scurrying to and fro this time of year. While the inland Gulf was uncomfortably unstable, merchants found Dubai a gentle respite. Tails spread as the original spring worshipers started adorning the Dubai area that created the Mecca of today.
Modern Spring Break
80% of modern Dubai residents are foreign expatriate workers and her growth has centered on this group. Expats have become the traders of today spreading the word of the Emirate to Europe, Russia and the Americas. Subsequently, Dubai has assimilated the world’s best in just about everything. The PGA’s Dubai Desert Classic with Tiger Woods, ATP’s Dubai Open with the Williams sisters and Roger Federer and the world’s richest horse race, the Dubai World Cup, are well known. The world’s tallest building, the world’s most expensive hotel and several man-made islands shaped like palm trees all exist in Dubai. But recently, with the invasion of students, modern spring break has begun.
Reporter Atle Skalleberg said in a December 22nd 2008 article in Student Universe.com, “Dubai is becoming a popular stopover destination for college students….”
The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing declare on their website, “Dubai tourism sector…will increase by 73% by 2015…with student visitors…compromising the greatest percentage increase.”
Lauren Heckler, student reporter for the New York University School of Business wrote on 11/25/08 in a report entitled Things to Do Over Spring Break, “Wondering what to do over Spring Break?...First Time, Dubai Trek…You’ve heard about it all along… now experience it for yourself!"
Spring Break Student Events
- Dubai's Crossroads Blues Fest
- International Jazz Festival
- Cirque Du Soleil
- Dubai Tennis Championships 2009
- Dune Boarding Championships
- Dubai Jet Ski Races
- Dubai Rugby Sevens World Cup
- Desert Safari
- International Boat Show
- The Taste of Dubai 2009
- International Bike Exhibition
- DJ Tiesto
- Eric Morillo
- Ferry Corsten and Schiller
- Hed Kandi and Groove Armada
- Krafty Kuts
- Paul van Dyke
Night Clubs
- 360°
- 400 Club
- Abaya Nightclub
- African Star
- Al Zumorrod
- Alpha Club
- Amnesia
- Apartment, The
- Arbat Club, The
- Bang
- Barasti Bar downstairs
- Billabong
- Blush
- Bollywood
- Boudoir
- Buddha Bar
- C-Bar
- Chi
- Club Alpha
- Club Envy
- Cyclone
- Diamond Club, The
- Double Deckers
- Downtown Africa
- Elegante
- Escoba
- Geri Halliwell
- Garage Club
- Ginseng
- IBO
- iKandy Ultra Lounge
- Isfahan
- Jimmy Dix
- Jules Bar
- Kasbar
- Ku-Bu
- Lotus One / Lotus1
- Lodge, The
- Madinat Arena - Souk Madinat,
- Malecon
- MIX, The
- Oxygen
- Out of Africa
- Peppermint Club
- Plan B
- Planetarium
- Plastik
- Rattlesnake
- Rock Bottom
- Rumours Nightclub
- Sapphire, The
- Savage Garden
- Scarlett's
- Sho Cho's
- Submarine
- Tangerine
- Trilogy/The Rooftop
- Tropicana
- Zinc
References
The Official Portal of Dubai Government
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