Dubai the Benchmark – From Desert Landscape to Global Metropolis (Part 1)

Like me, you probably have a bucket list of divine and exotic places you’d love to visit in this lifetime. At the top of my list is Dubai and Beijing. If you’ve read any of my blogs, you know I love traveling for business, wellness, entertainment and family. Recently, I fulfilled my desire to visit Dubai to attend a business conference and conduct a benchmarking exercise. It is clear that creating success and driving change is best achieved by benchmarking others who have accomplished remarkable transformations, like Singapore and Dubai.

 My Trip to Dubai

My recent trip to Dubai was an amazing learning experience, some may call it “a once in a lifetime experience". While enjoying the city’s many offerings, I was exposed to cutting-edge engineering innovations, best-in-class financing models, and global partnerships and synergies that drive trade, investment, and tourism, all anchored in the strategic vision of the people of Dubai.

My last blog, "Transformative Global Shift – Tariff War," offers valuable insights into how small island states can build resilience and sustainability amid global turmoil. Dubai is also a perfect and powerful benchmark for driving economic transformation in these states.

Listen to my audio blog or read on to gain deeper insights into the International Property Show (IPS) 2025 Conference and what has made Dubai a world-class trade, investment, and tourist destination.

Strategic Visionaries

Like Singapore, Dubai has rapidly emerged as a frontier for innovation, creativity, and success.

My Journey to Dubai

The approximate distance between Dubai and Jamaica is around 13,000 kilometers, according to Google! My journey took me from Kingston to London and then on to Dubai. The total travel time, based on the route I flew, was approximately 18 hours, covering 12,943 km, with a connecting flight through Gatwick Airport in London.

To stay comfortable, I wore a soft cotton sweatsuit and cushioned sneakers and brought along a headrest, a light jacket for when it gets cold, and my digital gadgets for reading and blogging to indulge my overactive mind. To say the journey was long would be an understatement. I ate, slept, read, wrote, texted, and then repeated the cycle over and over. I must confess, I don’t enjoy long-distance flights but when the destinations are worth it ill feelings towards the travel time diminishes. Salutations to British Airways and Emirates Airlines for their exceptional services, but be reminded that such travel distance is no joyride so be prepared mentally and physically!

Travel is no Joyride

To enter England and Dubai, I had to apply for an electronic travel authorization, which was surprisingly simple and straightforward. I received my entry certifications in less than 24 hours for both countries. Going through immigration and customs in both countries was smooth, friendly, and efficient. To be honest, I wondered if flights from Jamaica entering London would be treated differently, but on this day they weren’t.

My entry into Dubai was equally very welcoming. My first view of the city from the sky felt like stepping into another world, yes, not another country but another world. The dazzling lights created a beautiful mirage of lights, highlighting the outlines of its iconic landmarks, including highways, buildings and waterways. Even at 2:00 a.m., the city seemed alive. I was completely taken by the breathtaking view below, and my excitement peaked, eager to experience it all.

Big infrastructures were on full display, from the airplane to the airport. Over 300 passengers disembarked into this massive state of the art airport, the terminals are gigantic. The escalators and elevators felt like moving monuments. The train that took us from the terminal to immigration hall felt like we travelled to an adjoining township!! (Smile, it was probably just the ride that seemed long). As I descended into the immigration area, I marveled at the massive columns, the soaring ceilings, and the pervasive use of technology and human efficiency working in sync to welcome us into Dubai.

Because I had electronic visa access, I had to visit an immigration officer. The line was long, but the efficiency of the many immigration officers made the processing time very short. I stood, smiled for the camera, and just like that, I was in Dubai. It felt like the whole process took less than 10 minutes. It is reported that over 90 million people pass through the Dubai International Airport each year. Imagine that!

Dubai International Airport

I made my way to the baggage area and collected my two bags with ease and no fanfare. I started observing my surroundings, and of course, I immediately started taking pictures. Two friendly ladies came up to me and asked if they could take my photo, and as they took the photos, we exchanged stories. They were teachers returning to work in Dubai and I was there for the International Property Show 2025 (IPS 2025) conference. My first big takeaway: most of the 3.9 million people that are in Dubai are either tourists or workers.

Massive Terminal

As I strolled slowly through the hall towards the Uber zone, my eyes were locked on every detail. The engineer in me was fascinated by the greenfield design of the building: high ceilings for efficient heat exchange, massive glass windows to flood the space with natural light, and technology enhanced functions, from water and sewage systems to monitoring, doors, and signage. Everything signage was bilingual, Arabic and English, clearly designed with international travelers in mind.

Outside, I spotted the two ladies I met earlier, and wished them all the best as they headed off to their destinations. Then came my second lesson: security in Dubai is excellent. As I entered the Uber zone, two men approached me politely but intensely. I wondered if they were like our “loaders” back in Jamaica which quickly prompted me to say, “I’m good, my Uber is on its way.” They smiled and moved on to assist others, while one returned to his post to the left. They were dressed in uniforms and appeared official, but the skeptical Jamaican in me, had me on high alert!

Strangely, thereafter, the Uber application wasn’t working. So, I confidently walked up to a driver and asked if he was available. He said “yes”, I packed my bags in his car and we drove out to the Hilton Hotel.

As I drove to the hotel, my escort and driver gave me an informative overview of the city and how it functions. I quickly noticed that my destination was less than five minutes from the airport based on his telephone GPS being used. To my surprise, he then installed another telephone that was now showing 21 minutes; a wave of nervousness overtook me, the country boy from Jamaica!!

The Jamaican in me couldn’t help myself, I asked in coarse voice, “Why are we driving this long route when the hotel is just five minutes away?” He quickly explained that it was due to the road design and the required route of travel. He clearly sensed my irritation, did a swift about-turn, and within three minutes we were pulling into the hotel’s basement. Tricksters can be found everywhere!

I felt a deep sense of relief when we arrived at the entrance of the hotel. In hindsight, I admit I might have somewhat overreacted as the view might have been worth it but needed to act on my sixth sense. My own cultural experience triggered a kind of trauma response in me in this massive and unfamiliar place; as we say in Jamaica, “prevention betta dan cure!”

The bellman greeted me warmly, he was talkative, helpful, and cheerful. As they walked me upstairs, I suddenly realized that one of my two phones was missing. I rushed back outside, but all I could see were the tail lights of the Uber car fading into the night.

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Hilton and Marriott Hotels

Panic began to set in. With fear and anxiety, I tried to figure out how I could track down the driver. At the front desk, the kind and confident Customer Relations Officer reassured me that everything would be fine. The bellman asked if I had the driver’s information saved on my telephone. I admitted that I hadn’t booked the ride through the Uber application and he quickly responded, “That’s okay, we’ll still find him.” He explained that they had camera footage and could retrieve the license plate number. He encouraged me to go to my room and promised that the phone would be back by morning.

I wasn’t ready to go to my room and instead I insisted that we do more, I wanted to call the police or return to the airport immediately. That cellphone wasn’t just a cellphone! It was my computer, it was my address book, it was my wallet, and yes, it is one of my best companions. I felt violated and lost. I asked them to get me a Uber back to the airport.

Before I left, they handed me the car’s make and license plate number, just like that. My new driver was also incredibly helpful. He suggested we search the staging area where Uber drivers often park near the airport; we drove there and even walked around, but had no luck finding the driver or car.

I urged him to take me to the airport police post. There, we reported the loss, and the police promptly ran the license plate number, identified the car and the driver, and assured us they would contact him immediately.

While the police continued their investigation, I made my way to the Uber zone that I left earlier. To my surprise, and concern, it was virtually empty. No passengers, and hardly any vehicles. I looked across to the loading area where I had first been approached, and spotted one of the two men who had earlier spoken to me and now it was my turn to approach him. A typical example of “What goes around comes around”.

I asked if he remembered me; “I was here earlier,” I said, where he nodded and said “yes”. I explained my situation and handed him the slip of paper with the car make and license plate number. To my delight, within a minute he was on the telephone with the driver, who said he would stopped shortly to check whether the telephone was still in his car.

Long story short, it was there. He came back, picked me up, and brought me safely back to the hotel.

I gave him the biggest tip I’ve ever given an Uber driver, yes, I was extremely happy.

Welcome to Dubai

I was exhausted when the bellman took me to my room after 5 a.m. He delivered my bags inside and described the room’s amenities. Before leaving, he politely said, “If you need our help, please dial zero.” I chuckled to myself, knowing that my only desire was to be in bed sleeping. I went straight to the bathroom, and as soon as I lay down, my lights went out, figuratively and literally.

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I woke up, it was after 5 p.m.; my body clock was completely out of sync. The 18-hour flight followed by an early morning hotel check-in, and the search for my lost telephone had taken its toll and led to a complete 12-hour rest period. The best I could hope for now was an early dinner, a walk outside to soak in the city air, and later, a visit to Dubai Mall.

Before I left the apartment, I took a moment to appreciate its charm. It was a lovely, cozy one-bedroom unit with a well-designed kitchenette, complete with a counter and sparkling appliances. The modern, stylishly arranged living room featured a settee as cozy as the bedroom itself. The bedroom was fitted with a king-sized bed, matching furniture at the bedside and foot of the bed, and a spacious wardrobe.

The bathroom was very impressive; long and narrow in size, with a walk-in shower, a Jacuzzi tub, a separate toilet area, and a long, well-lit vanity counter. The lighting, both in the ceiling and in every corner of the apartment, gave it the feel of a peaceful space in heaven. The place was simply amazing.

Downstairs, I found a terrace restaurant overlooking the Dubai Greek, with the stunning skyline of new Dubai as its backdrop. I walked the entire terrace from corner to corner, it formed an expansive ring around the hotel, offering a panoramic view of the city. The expensive luxury yachts and the tour cruises could be seen near and far in the distance.

As a sunset lover, this one felt unique and unforgettable. I deduced that fine desert sand particles suspended in the air created a sunset you could only experience at that moment, in that place and at that time.

The Dubai Sunset

I took many pictures from the restaurant terrace, but I knew I needed pictures from ground level close to the water’s edge. With the towering city infrastructure partially blocking the sunset, it created a truly rear, striking and unforgettable image.

In that moment, I forgot that I was hungry. I went walking to see the cluster of 4 towering hotel buildings, then a short walk down the road, before returning to have a delicious serving of spicy chicken marinated in a tasty sauce with vegetables. On my short walked, I learnt my third lesson: Dubai is hot, steamy, dry and humid.

Later that night, my colleagues and I traveled through the city, moving from highway to highway, while admiring well lit skyscrapers. I learnt my fourth lesson: a few oligarchs own these towering buildings in Dubai. The beautiful buildings were all branded with the names of affluent individuals or corporations. The name that stood out most to me was Emaar; Emaar Properties holds the largest portfolio of buildings in the city, including the iconic Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in Dubai.

The Burj Khalifa

The Dubai Mall requires a full day to truly explore, but I only had two hours on this first visit. Still, I was deeply impressed by the sheer scale of the structure, its high ceilings, multiple levels connected by escalators, massive volumes and numerous stores and attractions. The bathrooms were clean, well-designed, and had at least two attendants working continuously; a very sanitary space.

It dawned on me that electricity consumption in Dubai must be extremely high. The mall was so well air-conditioned that I forgot I was in the desert. My fifth insight came: every popular brand stores we know are in Dubai. Anything you want to buy is available there. Dubai is home to nearly every major brand store imaginable, if you want to buy it, you can find it there.

When we stopped in the food court for a meal, I couldn’t help but notice the young Arabs eagerly biting into delicious KFC chicken, I smiled. I opted for a healthier choice, a Subway sandwich.

I visited an aquarium to admire the stunning display of diverse marine life, aquatic animals and plants,  swimming gracefully in a beautifully designed transparent massive glass container. So many aquatic species coexisted with an unspoken discipline, seemingly resisting the urge to add each other to the food chain. I couldn’t help but wonder how the many sharks managed not to coexist without preying on the diverse varieties of fish swimming around them.

Indoor Waterfalls

Next, we visited the waterfall, absolutely magnificent. It reminded me of Dunn’s River Falls back home, I was overcome by the artistic brilliance of its designer. The most impressive feature was that the waterfall could be viewed from multiple levels, making it all the more dramatic. The sculptures of diverse?? appeared to leap from the wall into the pool below, adding a sense of motion and wonder.

This short and vibrant outing was just what I needed for my first real exposure to Dubai. I returned to the hotel to reset my body clock and prepare for the demanding but exciting three days ahead.

IPS 2025 Conference

The Conference

Dubai is a major tourist city, but it is also a big conference destination. The largest conference centre in Dubai is the Dubai World Trade Centre, where the 21^st edition of the IPS conference was held. The IPS 2025 attracted over 30,000 visitors from 174 countries and featured more than 300 exhibitors. With reference to KFC, it was a “BIG DEAL”!

The conference allowed participants to engage with international investors, development partners and key industry stakeholders from around the world. It also allowed viewing of many dynamic real estate developments and provided critical exposure to global best practices in real estate development, innovative investment strategies, and infrastructure led economic growth models.

The IPS Conference was highly informative and provided valuable benchmarks that will be adopted in my business and corporate environments. I am presently involved in the planning, development, and execution of 10 strategic projects valued at approximately US$700 million and as such the exposure in Dubai was both timely and invaluable.

The following were some of the objectives of the conference:

• To gain direct exposure to international best practices and world-class standards in real estate management;

  
  

• To understand current global trends in architectural design, urban planning, and property development;

  
  

• To observe and analyse methodologies used by Dubai to leverage infrastructure development as a key driver of economic development;

  
  

• To explore effective strategies used to attract Foreign Direct Investment into large-scale infrastructure and real estate projects;

  
  

• To participate in guided site tours and engage in strategic meetings with global industry stakeholders and thought leaders;

  
  

• To attend specialised forums and workshops that highlight innovative approaches to real estate developments; and,

  
  

• To build strategic networks to support project funding goals.

Fireside Forums

The IPS conference was an amazing learning space for me. I was fortunate to engage with many of the participants including:

• Business owners of diverse industries including real estate, finance and utilities;

  
  

• Top-tier Developers spearheading residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects;

  
  

• Real Estate Advisors and Brokerage Firms offering global sales, leasing, and investment services;

  
  

• Government agency executives responsible for regulatory oversight and investment promotion;

  
  

• Financial institutions and Technology Partners involve in real estate financing, innovation, and property technology;

  
  

• International Government Representatives supporting bilateral investment dialogue and trade promotion; and,

  
  

• Engineers and technicians shaping project delivery and infrastructure designs.

Innovative Developments

Some of the outcomes and takeaways from the Dubai IPS 2025 Conference include:

• Exposure to the layout of the conference, booth designs, miniature prototypes, use of lighting and props, animations, televisions and monitors, and marketing materials; all of which has set a new standard which guides  how we in the Caribbean can plan and execute conferences;

  
  

• Discussions with several legal firms facilitated ongoing dialogue regarding work permits and visa entries for workers seeking employment opportunities in Dubai and the Caribbean in the real estate industry;

  
  

• Engagements with several real estate agents and brokers are ongoing regarding the sale of luxury residential and commercial properties under development in Dubai. Referrals have been provided to real estate companies that may be interested in partnering with agents and brokers in Dubai;

  
  

• Dialogue with the Dubai Land Agency, which was particularly meaningful. Benchmarking their creative and innovative policy prescriptions will help foster new business development in our projects. Special emphasis will continue to be placed on their digital strategies, which is used to enhance the ease of doing business for investors; and,

  
  

• Insights gained on innovative financing and development models that are now shaping how I approach development projects. These include emerging financing models, greenfield development strategies, and smart infrastructure planning and development trends.

Our 10 strategic projects were presented to developers and prospective investors. Preliminary interest has already been expressed by several international investors, brokers, and developers, and discussions are ongoing to secure potential financing and project collaborations which will impact positively on the Jamaican economy.

Dubai’s success models will be fully assessed and unveiled in my next blog (Part 2). Many strategic lessons were learned from Dubai’s success in leveraging infrastructure and policy reforms to attract significant Foreign Direct Investment.

Exhibitors Booth

Stay tuned for the continuation of this blog (Part 2), which will feature exclusive content on Dubai's success models and offer suggestions that can be adopted to enhance a country’s economic development and improve the quality of life for its people.

Dubai is a beautiful destination for both leisure and business; for the ones who have experienced it, cheers and for those to come, brace yourself for the experience of a lifetime. As the millennials and Gen Z would say “DUBAI OWES ME NOTHING!!!!!

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