Immigrants also began to arrive in large numbers from many countries around the Gulf and the Indian Ocean, taking advantage of the opportunities that were arising and Dubai’s liberal tax laws. By 1954, when Britain established an administrative centre in Dubai, the city had already grown into a cosmopolitan trading centre, with newcomers once again arriving in increasing numbers – largely attracted by the city’s tolerance of foreign cultures. A decade later, the emirate’s fortunes soared with the discovery of valuable oil reserves. The latter part of the 20th century witnessed Dubai developing a tourism and international business infrastructure from the revenues generated by its oil business. Much of the credit for this new phase of development goes to the rulers of the emirate, as they have managed the oil reserves to successful advantage – for the economy and the citizens of the emirate. Dubai’s future seems quite secure, in that tourists and business travellers continue to arrive in greater and greater numbers. | 
