0:00:00 > 0:00:02as minus six.
0:00:02 > 0:00:07Now on BBC News, The Travel Show.
0:00:10 > 0:00:1520 years ago Dubai set out to become one of the most talked about towns
0:00:15 > 0:00:22in the world. Since then this young city state, one of seven emirates in
0:00:22 > 0:00:32the UAE, has largely succeeded. It's become one of the fastest growing
0:00:32 > 0:00:36tourist destinations on the planet. Synonymous with spectacular
0:00:36 > 0:00:42skyscrapers, gigantic shopping walls and high-end hospitality and also
0:00:42 > 0:00:50the occasional stories of tourists who fall foul of local customs. But
0:00:50 > 0:00:54scratch deeper and there much more to this place. No longer be brash
0:00:54 > 0:00:58new kid on the block, Dubai is now an established hub and one of the
0:00:58 > 0:01:05world's truly global cities. And although the impulse to impress is
0:01:05 > 0:01:10still here, there's now a complex identity taking shape and I'm here
0:01:10 > 0:01:14to see how that is changing the book and feel of Dubai, its people and
0:01:14 > 0:01:19its future.
0:01:27 > 0:01:35Aviation is at the very heart of Dubai's growth. Geographically
0:01:35 > 0:01:41blessed between east and west with the vast Indian subcontinent on its
0:01:41 > 0:01:45doorstep and an ambitious national carrier, it is reckoned that over
0:01:45 > 0:01:4940% of the world's population lives within four hours flying time of
0:01:49 > 0:01:57Dubai. 20 years ago, Dubai airport was something of an aviation back
0:01:57 > 0:02:03water. Today they say they handle more international passengers than
0:02:03 > 0:02:08anywhere else in the world.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16A couple of years back, we were looking ahead and seeing the 5
0:02:16 > 0:02:23million number. Now we consider 5 million as very mild traffic. In
0:02:23 > 0:02:29August, we broke our record of more than 8 million per month.The
0:02:29 > 0:02:33numbers may have grown at an Iowa watering rate, but this is basically
0:02:33 > 0:02:40a city airport and that's -- as that city has grown land has become
0:02:40 > 0:02:44scarce. So the usual solution of building bigger isn't an option. You
0:02:44 > 0:02:48could say the airport has become a victim of its own success. The
0:02:48 > 0:02:52solution? Investing in new technology to cope with the project
0:02:52 > 0:02:57did 100 million passengers who they reckon will pass through here by
0:02:57 > 0:03:042020. All co-ordinated hearing this new airport operations centre, which
0:03:04 > 0:03:11they say is the largest in the world.We have infrared motion
0:03:11 > 0:03:19sensors in the ceiling to detect any movement of passengers.And they can
0:03:19 > 0:03:22tell each individual person, separate them?They can separate.
0:03:22 > 0:03:28Once the passenger enters the queue, the white dot turns into a red dot.
0:03:32 > 0:03:36Airport staff can access real-time data about passenger numbers
0:03:36 > 0:03:44everywhere in the terminals. The data helps predict potential surges
0:03:44 > 0:03:49that could shut the whole process down, but they insist it doesn't
0:03:49 > 0:03:53identify individual passengers.OK it's going to be busy here in the
0:03:53 > 0:03:57next ten minutes. We need to get more desks open.How are you?
0:03:57 > 0:04:02Go-ahead.What is happening at the airport is symptomatic of the city.
0:04:02 > 0:04:09It has successes but there are challenges as the demands on Dubai's
0:04:09 > 0:04:15infrastructure has grown. Congestion can be the bane of this city, where
0:04:15 > 0:04:24the car is king, but the solution lies through more innovation.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27Following trials in America, Dubai says it has plans to build a super
0:04:27 > 0:04:32fast Hyperloop between here and Abu Dhabi and they reckon this could be
0:04:32 > 0:04:36the only place in the world where you will soon be able to hail your
0:04:36 > 0:04:41own flying taxi. There's also a drive you to encourage the use of
0:04:41 > 0:04:46sustainable energy, IKEA on the public beach, with this futuristic
0:04:46 > 0:04:51looking solar palm trees. Those other the panel soaking up the rays.
0:04:51 > 0:04:56More importantly there is free Wi-Fi and with this greed you can check
0:04:56 > 0:05:00the weather, exchange rates and really useful eon holiday you can
0:05:00 > 0:05:09take selfies. But what I like most of all is that you can just sit down
0:05:09 > 0:05:16here, take in the views and charge your phone. Check your e-mails and
0:05:16 > 0:05:25whatever else, all thanks to the power of the sun. With the massive
0:05:25 > 0:05:29world Expo coming here in 2020, the language of developers has moved on
0:05:29 > 0:05:34from bigger is better to finding new ways to add value to their tall
0:05:34 > 0:05:45towers, by making many of them attractions in their own right. This
0:05:45 > 0:05:49complex of apartments, townhouses and a hotel is due to be finished by
0:05:49 > 0:05:53next year. It is being built by the same group who came up with the
0:05:53 > 0:05:56iconic Burj Khalifa nearby, which just happens to be the world's
0:05:56 > 0:06:03tallest structure. It's pretty early in the morning and it's already very
0:06:03 > 0:06:08hot. I can imagine 22 people in these things going up and down all
0:06:08 > 0:06:12the time. It can't be easy and the temperatures gets hotter, the
0:06:12 > 0:06:19humidity gets worse as the day goes on. Look at that view. That's just
0:06:19 > 0:06:31incredible. Look at that. I've got to say, I'm feeling a little bit DD.
0:06:31 > 0:06:38It's quite high up.You get accustomed to it.You get used to
0:06:38 > 0:06:47it? Do you want us to look down? On floors 52 and 53 is the showpiece of
0:06:47 > 0:06:52this project. It is quite astounding to think that this bridge section
0:06:52 > 0:06:57which connects the two Towers started life on the ground and was
0:06:57 > 0:07:02then hoisted 200 metres up into the air. Just give you an idea of the
0:07:02 > 0:07:06scale of that, this section weighs more than fully laden A380 super
0:07:06 > 0:07:18jumbo jet. What a feat of engineering at! And for the super
0:07:18 > 0:07:25adventurous you will be able to harness up and get views from the
0:07:25 > 0:07:34air.You will experience walking all the way out with unhindered views
0:07:34 > 0:07:41over to the harbour. So it's a new addition, a new visitor observation
0:07:41 > 0:07:47experience that we don't have in Dubai or even in the region.4000
0:07:47 > 0:07:53people are working on this site on 12 hour shifts. Construction here is
0:07:53 > 0:07:5820 47 and if an internationally stuffed project. But as ever be
0:07:58 > 0:08:04Dubai construction industry relies heavily on migrant labour from South
0:08:04 > 0:08:13Asia, brought in from living quarters outside the city. It is
0:08:13 > 0:08:18hard to believe that 15 years ago this downtown area was pretty well
0:08:18 > 0:08:22empty. Today they like to think of it as the most prestigious square
0:08:22 > 0:08:26kilometre in the world. But isn't there a limit to this boulder,
0:08:26 > 0:08:30bigger and better aspirations? You buy is famous for being the city of
0:08:30 > 0:08:34superlatives. The tallest, the biggest. Is there any more to it
0:08:34 > 0:08:42than that?Yes, there is that perception, however we as developers
0:08:42 > 0:08:50always look to show, where it can be a value? What is unique? It's not
0:08:50 > 0:08:53just about bragging rights, it's about the quality. There's a lot of
0:08:53 > 0:08:58thought going into the developments we choose.All of this may never
0:08:58 > 0:09:02convince those who think of Dubai as a vapid shrine to consumption and
0:09:02 > 0:09:06unfettered growth. But whatever your views on its addiction to
0:09:06 > 0:09:10record-breaking construction, it's also a calling car for the emirate.
0:09:10 > 0:09:15The very reason why many people come here in the first place, which gives
0:09:15 > 0:09:18it a business rationale too.
0:09:21 > 0:09:27And if you think you've seen it all, think again. The so-called city of
0:09:27 > 0:09:34superlatives is about to surpass itself with this massive project.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38And the centrepiece? This incredible construction which will become the
0:09:38 > 0:09:50tallest tower in the world. As ever, the scale of ambition is
0:09:50 > 0:09:53breathtaking, but subtlety and understatement has never been
0:09:53 > 0:09:58Dubai's strong suit. And for the ultimate proof of that, what about
0:09:58 > 0:10:03Atlanta's resort on the Palm Island, where, if you can afford it, you
0:10:03 > 0:10:07will get an on-call at low 24 hours a day and a luxurious room with a
0:10:07 > 0:10:19unique view. Hello! Nice to meet you. But like? Please, show me
0:10:19 > 0:10:27around. -- my butler?
0:10:51 > 0:10:55I am presuming he doesn't live there permanently. Mind you, it does sound
0:10:55 > 0:11:02like it has to be on standby at all times, like Danesh himself.To be
0:11:02 > 0:11:07honest, the guests to stay in this kind of sweet are rich and wealthy
0:11:07 > 0:11:12and they just don't want to wait for things to delay. For example,
0:11:12 > 0:11:19sometimes they might ask you, OK, I want to see the diver coming when I
0:11:19 > 0:11:27have breakfast. Because when she wakes up, the first thing is she
0:11:27 > 0:11:37wants to see it, so we have to wait until she wakes up. So we will make
0:11:37 > 0:11:43it happen somehow.But not everyone can afford to or indeed wants to
0:11:43 > 0:11:48enjoy this level of indulgence. Just maybe bigger, better and boulder
0:11:48 > 0:11:53isn't everyone's cup of tea, which takes us to paradigms shift I think
0:11:53 > 0:11:57is taking in Dubai. Away from mega- luxury towards more authentic
0:11:57 > 0:12:02pleasures, which may help in changing the perception of the
0:12:02 > 0:12:09emirate as a mere three-day stopover destination, or even blinged up blow
0:12:09 > 0:12:15out for the world's rich and famous.
0:12:22 > 0:12:29This is the creek, the real heart of old Dubai, and gorgeous in this
0:12:29 > 0:12:34light. This used to be a real trading hub for the city and the
0:12:34 > 0:12:37kind of boat you see behind me bring in spices and other goods from
0:12:37 > 0:12:48countries like India, Iran and much further afield.
0:12:51 > 0:12:56This is my personal favourite part of Dubai, the old town. You get a
0:12:56 > 0:13:00real sense of the past. As a contrast to the skyscrapers and
0:13:00 > 0:13:18shopping maul downtown. What is this? Cinnamon. This is Tymrak. --
0:13:18 > 0:13:24turmeric. For the face massage. This is a long piece of wood, what is it?
0:13:24 > 0:13:35Scissors.What is the difference, that is bigger. Frankly, if I hadn't
0:13:35 > 0:13:39stopped him I think he would take me through every single spice in the
0:13:39 > 0:13:46shop.This is for smoking and this soup.Of course if you are into
0:13:46 > 0:13:54bullying you have to go too far to find that here. -- bling. But to
0:13:54 > 0:14:05find authentic art and craft 21st century style, you will need to head
0:14:05 > 0:14:24to be flourishing al-Qus district. This is calligraphiti, a mixture of
0:14:24 > 0:14:30calligraphy and graffiti, and is the trademark of a artist who has
0:14:30 > 0:14:38taken... Taken his artform to world including this project in Cairo. So
0:14:38 > 0:14:48what is he doing in Dubai?For me, Dubai is a new city, I look at it, I
0:14:48 > 0:14:53try to get a different view to it, a lot of people come from outside say
0:14:53 > 0:14:58it is fake, you are an artist, how could you be here? Thermae there is
0:14:58 > 0:15:02this kind of growing art scene, there is a growing art community. As
0:15:02 > 0:15:08an artist it is good to see that I am part of this, I am part of making
0:15:08 > 0:15:12a change and making this movement. If I can question you won that, it
0:15:12 > 0:15:16is also a place that is glamorous and wealthy, you have a big expat
0:15:16 > 0:15:20population, you have some very rich people here.Is that inspiring for
0:15:20 > 0:15:24you? We are here in the middle of the industrial zone that has been
0:15:24 > 0:15:32turned into this culture and art community. When you cross the street
0:15:32 > 0:15:37you are near a steel factory. This is the Dubai that I want to see. I
0:15:37 > 0:15:40am not interested in the shiny thing, but some people that they
0:15:40 > 0:15:47wanted. I think at some point now there is a switch, Dubai will show
0:15:47 > 0:15:52people, this is what we do.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04Some people love Paris, I love Paris, some people hate Paris. Some
0:16:04 > 0:16:09people love New York, some people hate New York. For me it is too
0:16:09 > 0:16:16naive. What has been done here in less than 30 years is exquisite, and
0:16:16 > 0:16:21I think people should salute that.
0:16:25 > 0:16:31While the artists are busy feeding the soul, many locals and expats
0:16:31 > 0:16:35here in Dubai are also now keen to exercise their bodies. Some of them
0:16:35 > 0:16:44in the most quintessential Emirati locations. You would not normally
0:16:44 > 0:16:48associate Dubai with cycling. Writing through the Dubai rush hour
0:16:48 > 0:16:55is a no-no. But the sport is becoming more popular here, thanks
0:16:55 > 0:16:58to facilities like this are cycling track. It is long, smooth, purpose
0:16:58 > 0:17:06built and flat. In a country not famed for its exercise culture,
0:17:06 > 0:17:10these days many locals are getting into a whole range of sports. And in
0:17:10 > 0:17:16case you are wondering, I will leave this to the experts.Hi, I am awake
0:17:16 > 0:17:34border in Dubai. -- weight Wake board. I am all about sports a
0:17:34 > 0:17:38snowboarding, wake boarding, kite surfing, all accessible in Dubai.
0:17:38 > 0:17:43Living in the desert, the closest mountain is in Lebanon or Georgia or
0:17:43 > 0:17:49something, -- Jordan. You have the best instructors, you learn how to
0:17:49 > 0:17:53snowboard here and when you go into any mountain from the Alps to
0:17:53 > 0:17:58Colorado, is simple.
0:18:01 > 0:18:06The younger generation is actually crazy here in Dubai. They are crazy
0:18:06 > 0:18:10when it comes to extreme sports, they are trying to compete more
0:18:10 > 0:18:18internationally. It is very nice to see. The vibe of the city is all
0:18:18 > 0:18:23about working hard, playing hard. You put in so many hours at work, so
0:18:23 > 0:18:26the little time you have left, you want to waste it, just lolling
0:18:26 > 0:18:31around.
0:18:34 > 0:18:40Keen to get another fix of the great outdoors, I am heading out to the
0:18:40 > 0:18:44desert early in the morning to experience something new, but I am
0:18:44 > 0:18:51told there could only see here in Dubai. -- that I am told you can
0:18:51 > 0:18:54only see here in Dubai.
0:19:01 > 0:19:10It is a new twist on traditional Arabian falconry. But I hear it is
0:19:10 > 0:19:17truly breathtaking.2500 years ago, people relied on Falcon is the way
0:19:17 > 0:19:21we rely on the supermarket. Falcons put food on the table. Additionally
0:19:21 > 0:19:26how it worked, birds from Europe and Asia migrate from the Middle East to
0:19:26 > 0:19:32Africa. The migration would be when people capped their Falcons and use
0:19:32 > 0:19:36them for the winter months. At the end of winter they would untie them
0:19:36 > 0:19:40and released into the wild. It is a beautiful system of borrowing a bird
0:19:40 > 0:19:45from a and giving them back. -- from the wild. We are about to release
0:19:45 > 0:19:49Oberon from the basket and I will untie him, he is wearing a
0:19:49 > 0:19:55transmitter on his tail, that is so I can find him if he flies away, and
0:19:55 > 0:20:00I will pop his hood off in a second, this device is called the hood, and
0:20:00 > 0:20:09this good is keeping him calm and relaxed. That comes off, OK. Reddy,
0:20:09 > 0:20:18guys? Five, four, three, two, one...
0:20:32 > 0:20:48Amazing.Good boy.Do you want to go?I would love to, let's try.
0:20:50 > 0:20:58Oh, yes. Peter has helped to Hendry at these birds from birth top and
0:20:58 > 0:21:02the bond of trust between them is vital. It is clear that to him the
0:21:02 > 0:21:08Falcon's were felt -- welfare is paramount, and months go into
0:21:08 > 0:21:13training the birds to get them used to this sights and sounds of the
0:21:13 > 0:21:19Berlin and its passengers.These birds are in good shape...So the
0:21:19 > 0:21:26bird is not suffering.Absolutely not.What more could you ask for?
0:21:26 > 0:21:32Unique experience, and a beautiful animal.
0:21:37 > 0:21:43And that ride over Dubai's ancient landscape marks the end of my
0:21:43 > 0:21:47Trippier. Where I have seen the sharply contrasting old and new
0:21:47 > 0:21:53worlds of this citystate. I have witnessed again first-hand how the
0:21:53 > 0:21:59limitless desire to press and amaze the world has not diminished, with
0:21:59 > 0:22:07Expo Twenty20 a big incentive for yet more development. This is still
0:22:07 > 0:22:10a relatively young destination, almost an ongoing experiment that
0:22:10 > 0:22:14continues to grab headlines and polarised reaction in equal measure.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18But I sense that Dubai is developing into a complex and intriguing mix of
0:22:18 > 0:22:21cultures and attitudes, of experiences old and new and forging
0:22:21 > 0:22:30its own unique personality. That is not to say its reputation as a haven
0:22:30 > 0:22:38of luxury and access is going to disappear any time soon. Let's go!
0:22:38 > 0:22:44-- XS. -- excess.