Dubai is the only emirate in the UAE that would prosper even without oil and gas because it has firmly established itself as an economic and tourism hub in the country as well as the entire Middle East, a service industry executive said yesterday.

Peter Janssen, group general manager of Star Hospitality Hotels & Resorts, said Dubai provides a venue for safe investment because the government really supports infrastructure growth, and that the real estate business is booming and showing no sign of slowing down. He added that Dubai is an emerging destination for tourists on cruise packages.

Janssen stated that his company has been taking advantage of Dubai as being a major regional destination for business and leisure travellers by building more hotel rooms and serviced apartments around the city, especially in Jumeirah properties.