This 1990 guide to Dubai and Abu Dhabi is a glorious blast from the past


Sarwat Nasir
  • English
  • Arabic

A guide to Dubai and Abu Dhabi written in 1990 has shown the charm of the two emirates before they became the global tourism hotspots they are known as today.

Written by British Airways, the brochure describes Dubai as an emirate with “mountains and desert, old fishing villages and modern cities” and Abu Dhabi as a “fine modern city that retains its ancient charm”.

The guide, which was posted on the Abu Dhabi Good Old Days group on Facebook, lists business hours from Saturday to Wednesday – the old working week in the country. Residents enjoyed Thursday and Friday as the weekend.

The emirates have transformed in the past 33 years, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi now tourism destinations that attract millions of people each year for their skylines, theme parks, shopping malls and culture.

Abu Dhabi

“Built in 1793, the white fort, or Diwan Amiri, stands today amidst the modern buildings of Abu Dhabi,” the guide says.

“Abu Dhabi is a city of mosques – from the massive blue mosque on the corner of the Corniche, to the tiny mosque in the centre of Khalifa Street Roundabout. The oldest part of the town is the Batin area.”

A 1990 guide to Abu Dhabi written by British Airways. Photo: Abu Dhabi Good Old Days Facebook Group
A 1990 guide to Abu Dhabi written by British Airways. Photo: Abu Dhabi Good Old Days Facebook Group

It advertised a Hilton hotel on the Corniche as the top spot to stay. Today, luxury hotels are spread all over the emirate, including the Emirates Palace and Four Seasons.

Public transport recommendations in the brochure said that there was a limited bus service in the emirate, but taxis were plentiful.

There was a surcharge on taxis with air conditioning and town cars were metered.

“Elsewhere, fares should be agreed in advance,” the guide said.

Abu Dhabi has an expansive transportation network today, with buses and metered taxis, and even water taxis.

A 1990 guide to Dubai written by British Airways. Photo: Abu Dhabi Good Old Days Facebook Group
A 1990 guide to Dubai written by British Airways. Photo: Abu Dhabi Good Old Days Facebook Group

Dubai

British Airways described Dubai as a city with “superb beaches”.

“The city is divided by the Creek, a wide waterway busy with ferry-boats and dhows,” the guide said.

“Walk around the city – haggle for treasure in the dazzling gold souk.

“Wander through the richly smelling fish market, take a desert safari, see an oasis or watch a camel race.”

While tourists today can still do most of those things, they can also explore ‘new Dubai’, which offers the world’s tallest skyscraper Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall - also the world's largest - and Michelin-starred restaurants.

There was limited bus service back then in Dubai as well, with taxis available in towns and fares that were agreed upon in advance.

Today, there are still metered taxis, but ride-hailing apps such as Careem and Yango are also used by many residents and tourists.

Dubai also has a metro system that runs in most parts of the emirate, as well as a bus network that stretches throughout the city.

The brochure advertised a Hilton hotel next to the World Trade Centre area as the top accommodation, as well a Sheraton hotel in Deira.

"With all the exquisite dining, entertainment and conference facilities you'd expect from a 5-star hotel situated overlooking the famous Dubai Creek," it said.

"A short walk away from the shopping centres, Dubai business district and the fabulous gold market."

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FIXTURES

Thu Mar 15 – West Indies v Afghanistan, UAE v Scotland
Fri Mar 16 – Ireland v Zimbabwe
Sun Mar 18 – Ireland v Scotland
Mon Mar 19 – West Indies v Zimbabwe
Tue Mar 20 – UAE v Afghanistan
Wed Mar 21 – West Indies v Scotland
Thu Mar 22 – UAE v Zimbabwe
Fri Mar 23 – Ireland v Afghanistan

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Classification matches
The top-placed side out of Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong or Nepal will be granted one-day international status. UAE and Scotland have already won ODI status, having qualified for the Super Six.

Thu Mar 15 – Netherlands v Hong Kong, PNG v Nepal
Sat Mar 17 – 7th-8th place playoff, 9th-10th place playoff

Fixtures

Tuesday - 5.15pm: Team Lebanon v Alger Corsaires; 8.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Pharaohs

Wednesday - 5.15pm: Pharaohs v Carthage Eagles; 8.30pm: Alger Corsaires v Abu Dhabi Storms

Thursday - 4.30pm: Team Lebanon v Pharaohs; 7.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Carthage Eagles

Friday - 4.30pm: Pharaohs v Alger Corsaires; 7.30pm: Carthage Eagles v Team Lebanon

Saturday - 4.30pm: Carthage Eagles v Alger Corsaires; 7.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Team Lebanon

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MATCH INFO

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Bayern Munich 1
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Real Madrid 2
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Australia squads

ODI: Tim Paine (capt), Aaron Finch (vice-capt), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye.

T20: Aaron Finch (capt), Alex Carey (vice-capt), Ashton Agar, Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Andrew Tye, Jack Wildermuth.

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One Free-Kick

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Khribin (31', 54', 89'), Al Shahrani 40'
Red card: Otayf (Al Hilal, 49')

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Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
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Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
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GULF MEN'S LEAGUE

Pool A Dubai Hurricanes, Bahrain, Dubai Exiles, Dubai Tigers 2

Pool B Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Jebel Ali Dragons, Dubai Knights Eagles, Dubai Tigers

 

Opening fixtures

Thursday, December 5

6.40pm, Pitch 8, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Dubai Knights Eagles

7pm, Pitch 2, Jebel Ali Dragons v Dubai Tigers

7pm, Pitch 4, Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Exiles

7pm, Pitch 5, Bahrain v Dubai Eagles 2

 

Recent winners

2018 Dubai Hurricanes

2017 Dubai Exiles

2016 Abu Dhabi Harlequins

2015 Abu Dhabi Harlequins

2014 Abu Dhabi Harlequins

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Updated: July 10, 2023, 3:16 AM