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From hub to tourist destination

Critical Discussion

As figured out in the assisting prezi, the facts how Singapore and Dubai could transform themselves into major tourist destinations seem clear. From the authors point of view both destinations are overwhelming and impressing in their own way. On the one hand there is Dubai, which is the place for superlatives and world records, and on the other hand there is this small country Singapore, which has transformed itself into a major financial center of South East Asia. When looking back to the visits of those two destinations a lot of differences arise. At the Tourism Board of Singapore we heard about the facets and strengths of the destination as well as of threats and future challenges. Singapore is aiming to address these threats and challenges in order to be prepared for the future. In comparison one could get the impression that Singapore is growing wisely and well thought, due to space issues, whereas Dubai is growing rapidly to an extent that seems not very healthy to the destination. At the tourism board in Dubai we were trying to ask for some disadvantages and threats, but no precise answers were given. Dubai is either not thinking, or willing to think about future issues and challenges that could come up. Talking to us students about their problems and issues made me appeal to Singapore because it seemed honest and thought out. In contrast in Dubai we could never hear any word about something negative, not
Alexandra Rohrmoser 1

working or mistakes made, which gives a feeling of a synthetic product. It seems very unnatural and also dishonest, because as tourism business students we all know at least some issues Dubai is, or will be facing in the future. Furthermore the viewpoint on guest workers and tourists is a totally different. In Dubai it seems that they understood how important those two groups are to their destination, because they see it as their basis. Also in Singapore tourists and guest workers are very important but while listening to the Tourism Board and the Dean of the Ngee Ann Polytechnic one could hear and feel the slight difference they are making. It was mentioned very often that locals should get advantages, that they should have the right to do something and so forth. One could get the impression that Singapore is quarreling itself a little bit when it comes to foreigners. However, both destinations made their way to become more than just a famous hub-destination but a real consideration for on-route and other travelers to make a stop. Of course both destinations are facing some issues and problems, but when using their strengths and knowledge for future developments, both destinations will further improve and defend their status as major tourist destinations.

Literature
Lohmann, G., Albers, S, Koch, B., & Pavlovich, K. (2009). From hub to tourist destination An explorative study of Singapore and Dubais aviation-based transformation. Journal of Air Transport Management, 15(1), 205-211.

Alexandra Rohrmoser