Prof James Pounder, the acting provost of Abu Dhabi University, who comes from Sheffield, thought there were dangers as Dubai became increasingly popular with – and affordable to – younger, less sophisticated people. It was not just that some would behave as badly as Ms Palmer and Mr Acors had allegedly done, he said; there was also likely to be a long-term impact on Emirati youth. Prof Pounder said when he moved to Hong Kong in 1984, local youngsters were quiet and demure; when he left 21 years later, they were thoroughly westernised.
The challenge facing Dubai and the rest of the UAE, he said, was to retain its traditional values. It would not be easy. “Young Emiratis will be influenced,” he said. “The question is, by how much and what can the country do about it?”
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