With its towering skyscrapers, world-class shopping, and exciting attractions that appeal to the masses, Dubai is a well-loved travel and expatriate destination for many people. But perhaps one group of people love it more than anyone else – Indians.
It is no secret that Indians love Dubai, but why? Find out why, above any other group, Indians have moved in droves to Dubai. Here are some of the reasons.
1) Proximity to India
Indians favour Dubai due to its proximity to India. Only a short three to five-hour plane trip means you are not too far from your family. Visiting, even for just a long weekend, is a breeze. Moving to Dubai is also more accessible due to its relative closeness to India.
Due to this, the return fare to Dubai is also reasonable and you can get fares from Rs 12,000 if you plan in advance.
2) Availability of Indian cuisine in abundance
There are countless dining options available in Dubai which cater to authentic Indian tastes and cuisines. In addition, there is no shortage of Indian and vegetarian restaurants which makes us feel at home.
3) Gold Souk
One of the biggest attractions for Indians is the Gold Souk in Dubai. Indians have a fascination for gold and gold jewellery. Also, the gold rate in Dubai has always been cheaper than in India because of the tax component. Plus, the purity is genuine. Punishment for forgery is very high, so people don’t cheat. As a result, most Indians make a beeline for Gold Souk to buy pure gold or gold ornaments.
4) Meena Bazaar
For Indian fashion, handicrafts and textiles at the best prices, Meena Bazaar is the go-to shopping hub. Located primarily along one lane in the Bur Dubai district, this tourist and resident hotspot is nestled between Al Fahidi Street and Khalid Bin Al Waleed Road. You can choose from an array of options, from Pakistani suits to Kashmiri shawls, at affordable prices, and it is definitely worth the hype.
5) Entertainment
Indians like entertainment and Dubai gives them a constantly changing landscape. With some of the best resources, it can build manufactured wonders. A city created out of a small fishing and pearl diving desert settlement by the Al Makhtoum family, today Dubai is an entertainment hub. It has everything from golf clubs, beaches, amusement parks, expansive shopping malls, and man-made resort islands.
Indians, along with residents from many other nations, have started to call Dubai home or, at the very least, one of their top vacation destinations. The strict laws in Dubai may initially put someone off, but when the clean streets and low crime is considered, it is easy to see that the positive can outweigh the negative. Add to this the myriad choices for entertainment and Dubai sounds like an ideal place to call home. Indians love Dubai and it is clear why they are the largest expatriate group in the nation.