Magic in Dubai: Cityscape

Everybody's talking about Cityscape, and rightly so. It's the largest real estate show on earth, and it's growing year-on-year, right here in Dubai. Just to imagine its actual scale, consider not only its increased footfall, but the traffic gridlock leading up to the venue from all roads, especially on the first day, which is significant in the success of Dubai.

The global economic crisis doesn't seem to ripple through the Cityscape phenomenon, where investors hunt new deals and keep coming for more. According to the organisers, there are many more participants this year than the last, and so are visitors to the show. No wonder the traffic was so extortionate, and hotels fully booked throughout the city.

That the traffic on the first day of this iconic exhibition was heavier than ever before is a reflection of the magnitude of Cityscape's growing success: totally amazing on all accounts. It shows more people are visiting the show, and that there is demand that caters to the supply, and that obviously, real estate in Dubai is a magical formula that hits the jackpot, year-in, year-out.

This year, the buzz was different. Companies from Saudi Arabia didn't seem as prominent as the last years. Mind you, the show serves on a first-come, first-served basis, and there is much competition to gain space at the show, which is why many major companies were not able to participate this time.

Former Cityscapes have lasted 3 days, and this year it was extended by a day. On the last day last year, some companies closed their stands announcing a total sell-out with balloons galore decorating their stand. This year, there were no balloons, rather, a mature state of affairs with packed halls with a lot of activity and magnificent projects announced throughout the exhibition, with flashing cameras that accompanied the activity.

It seems this market is progressing to a level that Dubai can revel in. There is so much opportunity, and Cityscape's success demonstrates Dubai has carved out a niche the whole region and world is benefiting from, especially in the current state of economic affairs.