Global Village Dubai: Why the world needs to experience cultural melting pot that no other city can replicate

I didn't know much about Global Village before the wheels of my Emirates flight from the UK touched down on the scorching asphalt of Dubai International Airport.

I had seen countless short videos of people dancing, eating, playing and laughing in bright sunshine or dazzling lights. The large market-style complex was on my social feeds, sparkling like a family-friendly oasis in the heat of the UAE. It looked incredible - was it too good to be true?

After arriving in the Gulf News office, pathetically fighting with jet lag and heat acclimatisation, there was one persistent question: "Have you been to Global Village yet?" The hype had moved from strangers on my phone to my new, enthusiastic colleagues in the office.

It was time to grab some coffee, give my head a shake and to leave the stunning skyscrapers and beaches behind. After several missed junctions with a passive-aggressive sat nav being overworked, it was time to arrive at the international carnival that sees an incredible seven million people visit every year (6,999,999 of whom probably didn't get lost).

It started in January 1997 and has had a couple of locations before settling just off Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road. The first thing I noticed was the astronomical size of the car park - all those visitors have got to get there somehow (did they use Waze?). Thankfully I had been advised to go VIP (don't judge me, I'm a visitor) and get closer to the entrance to spare my children a hot and humid walk back to the car. It's not cheap but it's definitely worth it.

The GCC is obviously well represented and is front and centre of the experience, Russia and China have big and welcoming buildings and even the UK gets a bit of the action with Big Ben on show. You can't get every country into such a space but there can't be that many without representation.

Now I don't want to go over-the-top here and sound like a 1990s Miss Universe contestant wishing for world peace (I'm sure we all want that, right?), but there is something special about seeing so many cultures forced into such a small space. Looking around, the visitors had a similar international look.

What exactly is my laboured point here? Hold on, patient reader, it's coming...

The UAE feels like it is at the centre of the world, both geographically, with huge airports moving millions of passengers every month, and economically, with tech, AI and business investment booming. 90% of the country's 12 million population is made up of ex-pats from South Asia, South East Asia, Europe, America... all parts of the world.

While Global Village isn't the world economic forum, it represents to me how Dubai is attempting to embrace all walks of life from all backgrounds to build something truly unique in an already globalised world. I want to eat some Italian food, pop into a Chinese shop, watch a British cartoon brought to life on stage and grab a Turkish ice cream - where else can you do that?

It's incredibly clean, especially considering the footfall, and easy to get around. The kids loved the open space; running on the grass and hiding behind anything they could find to scare the life out of their parents. The food is incredible, there are plenty of rides to keep thrill seekers happy and I definitely got my steps in for the day. I'm not a big shopper, but I'm sure there are plenty of bargains to be found.

It's also relatively cheap and accessible in a city that can feel expensive and exclusive. Global Village is for everyone. My favourite part? Getting a quiet moment on a bench to watch my kids run in and out of a fountain while giggling and splashing with other children they had only just met. Happy, safe and they'll dry fast in the heat!

Dubai has an absolute gem in Global Village. I know it will be well taken care of as everyone here appreciates it's role in the city. It's unique and you couldn't imagine it anywhere else in the world.

'Have you been to Global Village?' - It's now me asking the question of any 'newbie' I come across. Everyone should go. Donald Trump should have put it on his Middle East visit.

Anyway, we'll be back once it reopens for the new season. It's goodbye for now but I'm sure it will be back bigger and better than ever.

Now I'm off to annoy all of my friends with photos and videos on their Instagram feeds...

Mark Thompson is a UK journalist who has been consulting as a digital editor at Gulf News