Dubai: Revellers in Dubai better remember to bring a full wallet with them with this New Year’s Eve, according to research published on Sunday by Travelex, a foreign exchange company.
Dubai was listed is the most expensive city in the world to ring in the New Year, ahead of London, Paris and New York.
Revellers in Dubai spend an average of Dh2,015 on food, drinks and entertainment on New Year’s Eve. London is the second most expensive city, where spend could reach Dh1,635 per person, followed by New York (Dh1,565), Paris (Dh1,145), Berlin (Dh1,115), Amsterdam (Dh935), Sydney (Dh835) and Edinburgh (Dh715).
The strength of the dirham, which is pegged to the US dollar, is seen as being one of the reasons that other cities are cheap by comparison. Partying in Sydney is considerably cheaper than last year because the rate is now 1 dirham to 3.72 Australian dollars.
Compared to December 2014 the dirham is 15 per cent stronger against the Australian dollar, meaning those exchanging Dh5,000 today now pocket an extra A$230.
The Hogmanay street party in Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, may also attract those looking for a cheaper alternative, at almost a third of the price of Dubai (Dh715).
