Dubai: An Unforgettable Destination and the Superyacht Hub of the Middle East

Dubai was established just three hundred years ago as a small fishing village, growing into a regional trading hub in the early 20th century, with continued growth ever since. It is now the most populous city in the UAE, a hub for both regional and international trade, and a city heavily involved in the tourism and luxury markets, making it an obvious choice for people looking for an unparalleled Middle Eastern experience.

As a destination, Dubai boasts an extraordinary amount of offerings for visitors. It is renowned for being a city with a remarkably iconic landscape, famously featuring a spectacle of skyscrapers that is also home to the tallest building in the world. What makes Dubai so special is that, whilst it is a space of bustling city life, it has managed to maintain its historical allure, seamlessly transitioning from a modern metropolis to a cultural oasis. From wandering around the old town markets to camel racing in the desert, visitors can become completely immersed in every aspect of this wonderful city, seemingly shifting through time to witness Dubai’s historical DNA alongside its contemporary brilliance. 

Drawing upon its fishing-town heritage, Dubai has also sustained its strong connection to the sea, showcased through the development of some of the world’s best man-made islands and marinas. Its rich maritime history and remarkable developments can be exampled by the largest marina in the region, Dubai Harbour, whose marina can welcome superyachts up to 160m to anchor, alongside an array of food and beverage options, luxury living opportunities and superyacht services. 

An event that has aided the growth of the world of yachting is the iconic Dubai International Boat Show (DIBS). First held in 1992 as a modest event focused on the local maritime industry, the show has rapidly grown in size and popularity and is now recognised as one of the world’s most prestigious boat shows and one of the largest yachting events in the Middle East. 2024 marks the 30th edition of the show, with this milestone guaranteeing the event to be bigger and better than ever before. 

Not only a hub for industry experts and boating enthusiasts from all over the world to connect, the show offers a plethora of luxury showcases from superyachts and hypercars, to watersports toys and yacht-focused fashion. The impressive offerings of the show, however, are not the only reason why DIBS holds a significant place in the superyacht calendar year; this opulent event has also continually worked to elevate the superyacht industry in the Middle East. Held in the wonderful location of Dubai Harbour, Dubai’s connection to the Arabian Sea is rekindled, positioning the city as an important nautical hub. Notably, the Middle East and North Africa region has the second highest fleet-to-billionaire ratio globally, DIBS therefore being an event which is located in the heart of one of the world’s superyacht hotspots. 

The glamorous city of Dubai is a world-class destination for superyachts, representing the height of luxury and the seamless blend between city and beach life. DIBS is an event which encapsulates the city’s strong maritime roots and shows how Dubai has maintained its important spot as a yachting hub within the region, now boasting global recognition as one of the most important boat shows in the world. Its rich history and abundance of offerings are one of the many reasons why the Dubai International Boat Show should be at the top of your must-visit list for the superyacht calendar year.