ABSTRACT
One of the most important aspects of the current economic recovery in many regions and countries around the world is a vibrant tourism sector and its related industries. Indeed, tourism has become an essential source of a country’s income as witnessed in recent years in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The UAE is located in the south-western angle of the Arabian Gulf neighbouring Saudi Arabia to the south, Oman to the east, and Qatar to the west. The UAE has an area of 77,000 km, which is mainly flat, and is 97 per cent desert. The UAE comprises seven emirates: Abu Dhabi (the capital), Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras al-Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm al-Quwain (Al Qaydi et al., 2005) (see Figure 16.1). The largest and richest of the seven emirates is Abu Dhabi; the second largest is Dubai (Sharpley, 2008).
