Dissertation

I have few things in mind but none of them has assumed a definite shape yet. I always was interested in Space Tourism and Dubai and combined my interests with my assignments and BA dissertation. In both cases I faced the problem of limited academical literature. But maybe exactly that was the reason why I wanted to write about that. I get easily bored with things everyone wants to write about and to read about same topics in books and journals although I understand that this is the fundament for further thoughts and ideas. I am very future-oriented and support any innovative idea in the tourism industry.



Space Tourism is still something I am thrilled about. But it is still so less explored by academics that I am not sure how to provide a good literature review in my dissertation. What I could think about is to apply a model on Space Tourism but I have not gone in depth yet and do not have an idea what kind of model I could use and what I want to find out through applying this model.



Dubai...Im still addicted but I do not want to write about it anymore as everyone knows where to find Dubai on the world map. But I need to say that there are so many things to explore about Dubai. Everyone combines Dubai with luxury and pure madness but it also offers absolutely interesting cultural tourist products: Dubai Museum is the most intersting museum I have ever visited. It is very heritage oriented but in a way which gives visitors an authentic experience. I am saying 'authentic' as this was the word ALL my guests (I was a tour guide in Dubai and the rest of the UAE.) used to describe the museum. Dubai Heritage Village is a great place to go, but on weekends only, as it offers a great 'entertainment' programme on the UAE heritage. It is a place where you can experience UAE traditions, such as folklore dances (not belly dancing!), customs and way of life. And then there is Bastakiya which was founded by first Iranian traders (spices, textiles and pearls) coming to the Dubai emirate at the beginning of the 20th century. It is famous for the Wind Towers, a brilliant invention by Persians and you will find them everywhere in architecture in Dubai and other parts of the UAE. Nowadays Bastakiya is a good place to visit galleries and merchant shops, cafes or just to stroll around if you get tired of crowded places. A must for cultural tourists is also the Sheikh Mohammend Centre for Cultural Understanding. They offer guided tours in the Jumeirah Mosque, arrange 'cultural breakfasts' and 'cultural lunches', and where you also can meet the locals and ask them questions.

My BA dissertation was on Islamic Tourism and I used Dubai as a case study. As I mentioned before I could not find academic literature on Islamic Tourism and Dubai but Dubai's governmental websites give you many information about its activities and statistics.

During my stay in the UAE I really fell in love with Abu Dhabi (AUH) city, which is the capital. I also intend to go back after I have finished my studies. That is why I use assignments to learn more about Abu Dhabi's tourism structure and projects and hopefully to become an expert and have an advantage once I would start to apply for jobs. Currently I am writting about the Saadiyat Island in Cultural Tourism and I would also write a Destination Management Plan for AUH in Visitor and Destionation Management. So, AUH is my first option for the dissertation. I could:

1. write about Etihad Airline or
2. find out how competitive AUH is or
3. explore the driving forces behind the tourism industry and use AUH as a case study or
4. concentrate on tourism demands and wheter AUH provides the right tourist product.

I do not know yet and I hope after talking to Dr. Peter Chowne (he was involved in the Saadiyat Island project) I would get more ideas.