Nigerians Travel Addiction To Dubai

Nigerians are known to frequently travel to the UK and US. The UK has been considered a second home for many Nigerians for many years, but over the last 10 years Dubai has become the number one travel destination for Nigerians. Indeed, in 2016, during the economic crisis, when international passenger traffic was markedly reduced, employees of the popular Dubai Mall complained to a Nigerian visitor about the lack of Nigerians and complained that they would not be the first.

But since then, the number of Nigerians traveling to Dubai has increased.

Former president of the Nigerian National Association of Travel Agents (NANTA) and CEO of Finchglow Travels Bankole Bernard said today in a telephone interview that there are many factors that make Dubai an attractive tourist destination.

“If the place is attractive, people will go there. Nigerians are not the only ones traveling to Dubai. This place attracts people because there are things that people want to see. The place is a kind of oasis.

Currently, Dubai Tourism is represented in Nigeria by various officials representing the economy as a whole. So they go their own way to educate them and take them to their country. In Dubai, the crime rate is zero. They fight crime with everything they have. They pay their police very well. So Dubai is like an oasis of calm. They are not involved in politics in their economy. They are constantly striving to be number one in everything. Hire the best person, be it Russian, American, Indian or Nigerian. They have leaders who care about the country. You have people who love their country. That is why Dubai attracts the world. When you travel to this country, you see a country ready to grow. They will continue to attract the world because they have what the world needs in terms of security, comfort, etc.

“They started giving 10-year visas to people, including some Nigerians. Corporate tax is 7%; Nigeria is 10 percent. Please tell me why people do not want to invest in Dubai. If you run away with their money, they will take you back home. They have a global agreement, they can repatriate anyone from anywhere in the world, ”Bernard said.

According to Dubai Tourism, in 2018 Dubai was visited by about 185,000 Nigerians. The United States has long had the largest number of Nigerian travelers, followed by Saudi Arabia, but tourism experts believe that Dubai could become number one if Nigerians fly to Dubai DXB Airport in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. In Dubai, about 30% of Nigerians have international destinations.

The current president of NANTA, Ms. Susan Acparaie, said the reason people travel to Dubai is that visas are easy to obtain. When Emirates did not come to Nigeria, Egypt Air was the second choice for Nigerians, but now everything has changed, as Egypt has a strict visa policy and delays in obtaining visas, and Nigerians are sometimes rightly refused to leave.

"But in Dubai, obtaining a visa takes 48 to 72 hours, and even if it is denied, applicants will find out in two or three days," he said.

Dubai has 12 major attractions that continue to attract visitors. These include the iconic and main tourist attraction of Dubai, the Burj Khalifa 829.8 meters high, the tallest building in the world and the most famous attraction of the city. For most visitors, a visit to the observation deck on the 124th floor is a must in the city. The view of the city skyline from a bird's eye view is simply stunning.

There is also a beach club with blue waters and bright sun; Dubai can never have enough beach clubs. Known as Bla Bla, it is described as an exciting concept that combines world-class sunbathing with gastronomic thrills, with at least 20 lounges, three restaurants and a beach club. It is located in Jumeirah Beach Residences opposite Bluewater Island.

There is also the Dubai Digital Art Theater at Madinat Jumeirah, which brings a modern twist to iconic works of art with cutting-edge technology and fascinating storytelling. It combines three digital art formats, including multimedia exhibitions, contemporary exciting installations and virtual reality art.

Covering an area of ​​1,800 square meters, the venue presents digital performances of classical art accompanied by music, visual effects and surround sound. The exhibits change regularly, adding new ideas with each visit.

Dubai also has a Palm Fountain where visitors can watch the water move to the beat of the music. The palm fountain covers an area of ​​14,000 square feet and is also the only multi-colored fountain in Dubai. More than 3,000 LED lights create the stage for a vivid visual extravaganza with colorful water jets 105 meters high and dancing to the famous hits Khaleeji, pop, classical and international hits. La Fuente de la Palma comes alive every day with a show every 30 minutes from sunset to midnight.

Visitors should come early to spend the day in Pointe or dine at one of the restaurants on the waterfront to get the best view.

The Palm View is also another attraction where visitors can enjoy stunning views of one of Dubai’s most famous attractions at View at The Palm. The 240-meter-high observation deck offers an unprecedented 360-degree view of the Jumeirah Palm along with the crystal clear waters of the Persian Gulf and the Dubai skyline in the distance. The View at The Palm is at level 52 The Palm Tower, which also houses a café, creative exhibition, interactive aquarium tunnels and a gift shop.

For some Nigerians, a trip to Dubai has become a lifelong dream.

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