Oil & Tourism in the UAE
Geography: KS3, topic 19.1.12
Oil and tourism in the UAE
The UAE (United Arab Emirates) used oil money to develop fast. The UAE now also relies on tourism (visitors who travel for leisure).
Oil in the UAE
- Oil was discovered in the UAE in the 1950s.
- Oil income helped build modern cities, such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
- The money paid for new roads, airports and buildings.
Diversifying the economy
- The UAE knows that oil supplies will run out one day.
- So the government is diversifying (developing new industries) the economy.
- Tourism is one of the UAE's main new industries.
Tourist attractions
- The UAE has built attractions to draw tourists.
- Dubai built the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.
- Dubai also built the Palm Jumeirah, an artificial palm-shaped island.
Benefits of tourism
- Tourism brings money into the UAE's economy.
- Tourism creates jobs for local people and migrant workers.
- Tourism helps the UAE rely less on oil income.
Test yourself on Oil & Tourism in the UAE
Choose the true statement in each pair about oil and tourism in the UAE.
Name the two attractions built in Dubai to draw tourists.
Why is the UAE developing tourism as a new industry?