Dubai, a city synonymous with opulence and grandeur, finds itself at a crossroads as its luxury market continues to skyrocket. Mohamed Alabbar, the visionary behind Dubai's iconic skyline, expresses genuine concern about the sustainability of the city's rapid growth.

As the founder of Emaar Properties and a billionaire himself, Alabbar's unease sheds light on a city grappling with its own success. The influx of millionaires, drawn to Dubai's tax-free haven for the wealthy, has created a demand that even the visionary architect behind the Burj Khalifa finds challenging to meet.

With approximately 67,000 millionaires already calling Dubai home and an anticipated 4,500 more expected to relocate this year, Dubai faces a space crunch of epic proportions. The looming question: Can a city, no matter how futuristic, accommodate such exponential growth?

Alabbar highlights a construction conundrum, stating that Dubai is trying to build too much, too quickly. The market's 30% annual surge in volume has led to execution problems, a stark contrast to the seamless and rapid development the city is renowned for.

The luxury fever extends beyond residences to the hospitality sector, with a focus on high-end hotels dominating the skyline. By the end of this year, Dubai will offer more than 154,000 hotel rooms, with 46% falling into the luxury category. As developers and operators vie for trophy assets, rates soar, presenting a challenge to Dubai's aspiration for greater product diversity and affordability.

In the face of these challenges, the official Dubai tourism authority aims to diversify its offerings. However, the clash between pushing for affordability and developers pursuing high-end projects raises questions about the city's future trajectory.

As Dubai's population is projected to swell from 3.5 million to 5.5 million by 2030, finding a balance between luxury and accessibility becomes paramount. Alabbar's fear resonates not just as a cautionary tale from a billionaire but as a reflection of Dubai's struggle to reconcile its image as a playground for the elite with the practicalities of sustainable growth.

The tale of Dubai's dilemma unfolds against a backdrop of gleaming skyscrapers, extravagant malls, and a cityscape that mirrors ambition. Whether Dubai can navigate the delicate dance between excess and equilibrium remains a narrative worth watching.

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Source : https://skift.com/2023/10/26/dubai-has-too-many-millionaires-says-dubai-billionaire/