The travel and tourism community is buzzing about the HSBC surveyon the ‘Friendliest Countries in the

World for Expats.’ I know many Dubai-ians are not pleased with the Emirate pegged lower on this list.

Commenting on a UAE Community blog post on the same issue Abu Dhabi blogger says:

“I love the social fabric of the UAE. It is a place where you walk into a hundred nationalities everyday. You see all kinds of people from those who stare at you as if you are from another planet to many who smile at you for no reason. I have never felt that I am not welcome here. YES there are instances of red tape in some government departments and some other issues, but to me the UAE has been a very friendly place. Every place has its issues, as does the UAE.”

Sentiments like these are, surprisingly echoed by many expatriates (many are avid commentators and bloggers on Dubai and UAE themselves!) and definitely make one think hard about the validity of the HSBC survey.

Our Abu Dhabi company keeps reiterating Dubai’s mass appeal and way of life, mainly because it is one of the best kinds you can come across in a region like the Middle East. Small wonder then that many tourists and visitors in transit to other places love sightseeing in Dubai or visiting for an Arabian adventure.

Dubai, if you make the effort to, can be a very friendly place and thanks to the government pushing many educational reforms, the language has far from become a barrier for interaction.

The next time you are looking for a hotel booking in UAE, remember all these points and consider Dubai.

Image Credit: Joe Shlabotnik