This post was part of the AOL Money & Finance Best & Worst of 2007 feature. The voting has now closed and readers have chosen the Dubai as the breakout city of the year. Be sure to let us know in the comments if you are pleased with this result.
What are breakout cities? Cities that seemed to pop up in news stories with uncommon frequency, that have developed a cachet, that appear on the itinerary of early adopters. For your consideration here are four outstanding, very different candidates for this honor. Which whets your travel appetite?
Dubai City, U.A.E.
Nothing helps build a city quicker than petrodollars and a monarchy devoted to world-class projects. Dubai has all of that and more. The city that calls itself the "City Built For Tourism" is known as the home of the world's largest free-standing hotel, the Burj Al Arab. This ultra-ultra-luxury, 1,000-ft. tall hotel with a profile evoking billowing sails has quickly become the symbol of Dubai.
Under the vision of the ruler Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai has used its free-trade zone status to also develop into a world center for business. Having the world's largest manmade harbor and an airline that serves as a hub for the Persian Gulf region (with a new one under construction) helps, too. Dubai's acceptance of other culture's mores has helped turn it into a popular tourism destination, as well.
Macau, China
For those who say there is only one Las Vegas, we invite you to turn your eyes east, to Macau. The city is in one of China's Special Administrative Regions, where atypical (for China) economic development initiatives are allowed to thrive. In Macau, that means gambling and glitter, Vegas style.
All the big players are here. Wynn Resorts' (NASDAQ: WYNN) Wynn Macau opened last year. Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS) just opened the Venetian Macau and has other huge projects underway on the nearby Cotai Strip. The MGM Mirage's (NYSE: MGM) MGM Grand Macau opened this year as well. In fact, last year Macau for the first time passed Vegas in total dollars gambled.
With that dough comes celebrity, and the town has become the spot for Vegas-quality entertainment. In the hot Chinese economy, no place is hotter than the felt in Macau. Look for some of the crowd heading for the Beijing Olympics next year to take a side trip to the Vegas of the East.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Our third breakout city is as old as the others are new. Dubrovnik, founded in the 7th century, was once part of the Byzantine Empire, and later the primary competition to Venice as the cultural center of the Adriatic Sea. The quaint seaside town still features ancient architecture and a rich cultural history that blends the influences of the west and east.
It also offers the relaxing scale of a town of under 50,000 residents. Although Dubrovnik suffered dreadfully through a seven-month siege by the Yugoslav People's Army during the war of the 1990s, it has been rebuilt in the spitting image of its traditional form.
Today, visitors are drawn by the town's summer festival and film festival, historical sites such as the old fortress, and access to beaches and the nearby mountains.
Austin, Texas, U.S.A.
Austin is our fourth candidate for breakout city of 2007. The city of half-a-million has thrived on a combination of cutting-edge business and an eclectic social scene.
The local economy is anchored by the state government and the development of a strong computer-related industry that has given Austin the sobriquet "Silicon Hills." The television show "Austin City Limits" has cued the rest of the nation in to the robustness of Austin's cultural scene, which is also expressed in its official slogan, "The Live Music Capital of the World."
Austin offers more than music, however. Numerous theater venues are in constant use, and the presence of the University of Texas at Austin's cinema department gives rise to opportunities for devotees of movies and television. A number of art and nature museums also dot the Austin landscape.
While Austin is the largest American city without a team in one of the four big pro sports, it offers a wealth of choices for recreation. Cyclists might even find themselves sharing the road with Tour de France champion and Austin resident Lance Armstrong.
Four great cities, with four very distinct personalities -- which one suits you?
Share the reasons for your pick for the breakout city in the comments, or let us know about any contenders we overlooked. Also be sure to see the rest of AOL Money & Finance's Best & Worst of 2007.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-28-2007 @ 9:52AM
Jeff Benjamin said...
Without being offensive, a vote for any city other than Dubai is a vote born of ignorance. No city has EVER had the kinds of resources and the aggressive plans for building what is simply a mind-boggling super-resort town. It is the best of Miami, Las Vegas, Monte Carlo and numerous other cities. Formula One is coming. The best in golf courses. Ski areas - yes - huge indoor ski areas with real snow are being built. The finest hotels imaginable, along with restaurants and retailing shopping. For those concerned about certain Muslim customs and laws - forget them. In this town, you can eat, drink and be merry. The only Muslim customs retained are those that add to the tourist culture (great food, middle eastern designs mixed with western construction, etc.). I lived in Abu Dhabi (about a 2 hour drive up the Gulf Coast) for a year in 2001, and Dubai was jaw-dropping back then. I've kept somewhat informed on what's happened since. I would think that Dubai could be chosen the "breakout city" for years to come, as each year brings something new - substantially new. This is simply an amazing and truly unbelievable city.
12-30-2007 @ 12:14PM
Diane Dickson said...
Break Out Cities?, where Dubai seems to be an incredible and most talked about city, that I hope e to get to visit some day, the art of keeping nature in balance seems to be in behind Austin, in the publicity of it's architectural playground. If anyone can tell me,,othewise,,,Would love to hear..
Any Horse back riding trails included in that model City?
Yeah,,more people, more fun, more luxury and ocean views, but the fact of the matter is, the Art of Co-existing with Wild Life is one Austin seems to working at. With rolling hills and lots of Naturalist staying put in the Hill Country Regions, there still runs a great opportunity of seeing Greenery in it's Natural Scenes, Animals in their Natural Setting and People Nurturing the Planet in it's Natural Form...through Green Building Incentives, and a long list of people who use a holistic approach to life, without needing to first learn how or re vamp outdated habits.
Congratulation's Austin, TX for including Music, Performing Art's and Social Fun, above the need of Sport's and Hosh Posh Luxury in making the Final Four. Even though you could still use a public central Equestrian Trail, along one of those fabulous lakes, seems like near by Batrop is taking some slack up..You still..."Rock"...for supporting pedestrians, joggers, and biker's,,,in your infrastructure of recreation.
In a recent Land Development Seminar it was taught that in a survey the number 1 reason people are encouraged to make a purchase of a New Residence, is if there is any "green space" to see. Maybe some of the de funk malls in major metropolitan cities, could be converted back into Soil,,,and Natural Habitants,,in a great Eco Balance? and Break Out Cities would have to look at the Old,,being the New Wave...again..as,,,Getting there by foot, bike or Horseback,,will be a whole lot more fun, healthier,and will not need Oil...
Still hopin' to visit Dubai,,,
Happy New Year..May 2008 be Gr"8"t for All!