A Shot in the Arm for Dubai Tourism

DUBAI - Renovation of the QE2 by property developers may be creating waves in the tourism and hotel industry, but residents in the Dubai reckon that this is just another one of Dubai’s ventures to create the biggest of everything.

Dhanusha Gokulan

Published: Thu 27 Nov 2008, 1:03 AM

Last updated: Sun 5 Apr 2015, 7:24 PM

Khaleej Times spoke with a few residents in Dubai, and most of them agreed that the QE2 could give a substantial boost to the tourism sector.

“Taking a 39-year-old ship and turning it into a hotel would be just one of those things Dubai would do. Since Dubai aspires to have the biggest of everything, the renovation of a historic ship into a luxury hotel does not seem to be too surprising,” said Deep M., a media professional.

Both Janet Soliven and Lilian Emukule, sales executives, were quite excited at the prospect of having something as huge as the QE2 coming to Dubai.

“I would love to visit the ship once it has been renovated. Of course, I wouldn’t be able to afford it. The QE2 has a historic value, which itself would pull a huge crowd from around the world,” said Lilian.

Janet Soliven said, “The renovation would add to additional jobs for people here. Anything that can add opportunities to the sagging job market is a good idea.”

Samantha S., an architect based in the UAE, said it is a very good idea to bring pieces of history from other places. “It seems like a pretty good idea especially with the recession. Investing in tourism seems to be an apt thing to do. Also, considering the historic sentiments that many people hold for the ship, renovating it would make it lasting.”

Guyen Thi Naai, sales representative, said keeping the ship in the dry docks would take its historic value away. She suggested, “Keeping the ship mobile within Dubai or other GCC countries would retain its historic value rather than placing it in the Palm.”

Most of the residents this reporter spoke with were confident that even the global recession would not affect this investment.

Badari Prasad, vice-president, sales and marketing of an architecture firm, said, “Regardless of the recession, the tourism industry has its own pace in this country. Even though there has been a slowdown in the construction and real estate sector, tourism would hardly be affected; people are still coming to Dubai.”

He added that Dubai’s multicultural society would enhance the QE2’s popularity.

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com