And endless desert, vast gulf, and manmade islands, enormous skyscrapers. Welcome to the fast-growing city of Dubai.

Tourism is an important part of the Dubai government’s strategy to maintain the flow of foreign cash into the emirate. Dubai’s lure for tourists is based mainly on shopping, but also on its possession of other ancient and modern attractions. Dubai is in the top ten most visited cities in the world based on air traffic and the fastest growing. It is now expected to accommodate over 17 million tourists a year.

The gem of the Persian Gulf, an oasis of futuristic culture. Everything here is about size: the world’s largest dancing fountain; tallest building (Burj Khalifa); only 7-star hotel (the Burj al-Arab); largest artificial islands (the Palm Islands); and largest natural flower garden (the Miracle Garden). You can go on a desert tour, visit the authentic market, or cheer on the Camel Race Track.

This is certainly a place to the rich and famous such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Kendall Jenner, and Selena Gomez.