I know where I’d choose as my number one business trip destination, but before I share it with you, let’s consider what makes a perfect business trip location‌
It has to be somewhere with a dynamic business center, a thriving tourism industry and somewhere with a temperate climate, so you can make the most of your time in the city. You need somewhere that has all of the services required to have a successful business meeting, as well as plenty of fun activities to keep you busy during your down time. You want somewhere that customer service is taken seriously, so you know your needs will be met and exceeded at every stage. For me, that place would be Dubai.
Discover Dubai
Dubai stands head and shoulders above the rest for lots of reasons. It’s a prosperous business hub as well as a tourism hotspot. What better way to begin the business trip of a lifetime than by arriving in style with Emirates Holidays.
Accommodation
Dubai is a leading tourist destination which means it has some incredible accommodation options. You can choose between hotels, resorts or apartments, from super luxurious, to mid-priced or budget, there’s something to suit everyone. During the business trip, I’d choose to stay beachside in a hotel such as the Ritz Carlton. However, I’d try to tag an extra couple of days onto the trip so I could splash out on a short stay at the Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa.
Spas
After a long flight, or an intense meeting, you need somewhere to wind down, and what better place than in a spa. Dubai has some of the best spas in the world. While many of the hotels have their own, it’s also easy to book in for treatments or a full day package at one of the other resorts. The award-winning Talise Spa comes highly recommended, so I’d try to find time to book in there for an afternoon’s indulgence.
Cuisine
Eating out is a pleasure in Dubai, with many restaurants to choose from to suit all tastes. I’d enjoy dining in the modern and sleek surroundings at Rhodes Twenty10, the restaurant of celebrity chef, Gary Rhodes.
Shopping
Whether you’re looking for a new designer outfit, or some souvenirs to take home, there are lots of sprawling shopping malls in Dubai. As the stores open well into the night, I’d pop in to explore after finishing work for the day. The shops are only half the fun – the malls are packed with entertainment opportunities too, such as Ski Dubai and Dubai Aquarium.
Beaches
With fantastic weather, what better way to relax after a day at the office than to head to the beach? Some beachside hotels have their own private stretch of sand, but there are numerous other public beaches to visit and plenty of water sports on offer if you fancy being active.
Cultural opportunities
I’d love to experience old Dubai by visiting the atmospheric souks. The markets are great places to buy souvenirs and there are specific souks for gold, fish, textiles and spices. I’d take an abra (a wooden taxi boat) across the Creek, to take in the sights and sounds of the city from the water.
Dubai for business and pleasure
Dubai really does offer everything you’d need for a perfect business trip, and a bit of a luxury holiday is you manage to sneak that on to the end of your trip. Now I just need to find a way to get invited there on business!