Thrilling Arabian days and nights

When the colossal HK$12 billion Atlantis hotel opened in Dubai last month, it was simply the latest in a string of ultra-glamorous trophy projects that are putting the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the top of the world's tourism map.

Built on an artificial palm-tree shaped island called Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis threw open its doors with a star-studded party capped with a live performance by Kylie Minogue and a HK$46 million fireworks display.

The 46-hectare, 1,539-room resort - which boasts million-dollar-a-night suites and a dolphinarium housing 24 bottlenose dolphins flown in from the Solomon Islands in Melanesia - is regarded as the last word in luxury accommodation.

Other projects in the planning stages in the emirate include Burj Dubai - the world's tallest skyscraper which is expected to top out at more than 900 metres next year - and a permanent Cirque du Soleil, which will debut in 2011. The fabled QE2 ocean liner will be moored alongside Palm Jumeirah's 'trunk' and converted into a floating hotel.

Dubai is one of a federation of seven semi-independent states which make up the UAE, and while being flashy might be one of its most obvious attributes, there is a great deal more to this most fascinating part of the Middle East.

Founded in 1971, and enriched by copious oil reserves, the UAE has developed rapidly in the intervening decades, while maintaining its traditions, culture and history. Its two major airlines, Etihad and Emirates, fly frequently to Asia and its geographical location makes it a handy stop-off on the way to Europe and North America.

With oil reserves running out, the UAE is promoting its tourism infrastructure to maintain foreign currency earnings.