| If you looked on the various news headlines | | | | reported have had been the events like a |
| emerging from the Middle East, you will | | | | friendly match organized between Andre Agassi |
| notice a substantial shift taking place in | | | | and Roger Federer on the helipad of Burj Al |
| the manner they have been reporting about | | | | Arab hotel. Tennis balls kept falling down |
| this region as a whole. From various military | | | | inside the Arabian sea as the two players |
| coups to the stories of political vendetta; | | | | proceeded with some of their favourite |
| from gun totting hostage takers to the | | | | strokes. Not too behind was Tiger Woods who |
| unnerving interpretation of Islam; and from | | | | made use of the same helipad for his golf |
| the so-called lack of democratization to the | | | | practice. Woods was in Dubai to take part in |
| non existent human rights, the Middle East | | | | the Dubai Desert Classic and couldn't resist |
| has always had to bear the brunt of hostile | | | | the temptation of practicing on such a |
| news reporting. But, the emerging trade and | | | | breathtaking height. |
| commerce and tourism activities in Dubai are | | | | |
| fundamentally changing this long held | | | | If the celebrity spotting has become one of |
| stereotyped interpretation of the Muslim | | | | the new trends in Dubai's social life, then |
| world now. | | | | so is the emerging competition among the |
| | | | hotel owners for making the best out of this |
| Don't be surprised therefore, if the British | | | | pulsating market. They are making all |
| footballer David Beckham and the Spice Girl | | | | efforts, like building of more niche hotels, |
| Victoria are seen walking out of one of its | | | | to cap this upscale clientele. This means |
| famous five star hotels, or if the reigning | | | | exclusively targeting the business travellers |
| formula one champion Michael Schumacher is | | | | and the multimillionaires from across the |
| spotted unwinding somewhere on its | | | | globe. Apart from Dubai, Lebanon and Sharm |
| breathtaking shorelines. You will also come | | | | El-Sheikh in Egypt have also been trying to |
| to notice some very famous names from the | | | | raise their stakes. However, the former is |
| corporate world making regular rounds of this | | | | well ahead in the race involving these three. |
| famous city. From top cine stars to sports | | | | |
| celebrities and from the multi-billion empire | | | | Dubai's desire of opening its borers to the |
| holders to the average holiday making freaks, | | | | outside world has been well received and |
| all are increasingly being seen on Dubai's | | | | reciprocated by the latter. As a result we |
| soil these days. This in itself, speaks a lot | | | | are witnessing the very fundamental image of |
| of how dramatically the world's vision of the | | | | the Middle East taking a new turn in the |
| Middle East has transformed. | | | | global environment. By allowing so many |
| | | | expatriates on its soil, Dubai has made its |
| The next round of Dubai Tennis Championships | | | | friendly intentions clear. Expatriates will |
| to be held in February and March 2007 will be | | | | continue on playing a crucial role in the |
| another treat for the tennis lovers and the | | | | local economy, hence making the exchange of |
| media managers both. Names like the William | | | | the Arabian peninsula with the outside world |
| sisters - Serena and Venus and Andre Agassi | | | | stronger. It speaks of a pleasing scenario, |
| have played on this venue and enthralled the | | | | which will continue to get on more shades |
| audiences in the recent past. Equally | | | | with each passing day. |