The draw of the Emirates

Why do so many celebrities make their way down to the UAE? If you’re a footballer in the doghouse, it is quite possibly because it provides everything you could want to win back your “fair” maiden.

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Published: Tue 30 Nov 2010, 9:24 PM

Last updated: Mon 6 Apr 2015, 1:06 PM

Sun, sea, sand and shopping all seem to mend a broken heart if Coleen Rooney and Toni Terry’s seemingly bountiful forgiveness is anything to go by.

The ambience, facilities and abundance of five-star hotels are what coax the beautiful people to this region of the Middle East and this year has seen a bumper crop of talent make the journey.

The recent talk of the town has been Tom Cruise’s protracted stay in Dubai to film the fourth instalment of the Mission Impossible franchise.

Hollywood royalty often make a fleeting visit to the emirate, however it’s rare that an actor who has managed to top box office charts for 25 years shoots a vast section of a movie and envelops himself in the local culture as much as Tom did.

Another draw for the A-listers was this year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Whether they attended the race or the accompanying balls, galas and concerts, Hugh Grant, Kelly Brook, Richard Branson and countless others made an appearance at what F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone deemed one of the best Grand Prix circuits in the world.

Almost anyone will turn up for a party, but when designer Roberto Cavalli flew over from Italy to mark his nightclub’s first anniversary in Dubai, everyone was surprised.

The do was made even better when Roberto strolled in with Lebanese beauties Haifa Wehbe and Elissa on his arm.

Film festivals also play their part in attracting the creme de la creme. The UAE boasts more cinematic celebrations than any country in the Middle East and the stars duly attend to promote movies, give talks and accept awards.

Last year’s accompanying charity event for the Dubai International Film Festival, amFAR, saw Christina Ricci on the red carpet as well as Matt Dillon and Mandy Moore.

This year’s DIFF promises more of the same, with Colins – both Firth and Farrell - touted to arrive.

If all this wasn’t enough, the idea of brand ambassador for a city is a new one, but one Dubai has embraced.

Classical singer and former pop star Mylene Klass is Dubai’s spokesperson in Britain, a job she took having visited the city many times in the last two years.


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