Dubai ended its 30 per cent tax on alcohol sales in
the sheikhdom and made its required liquor licenses free to obtain,
ending a long-standing source of revenue for its ruling family to apparently
further boost its tourism to the emirate. The sudden New Year's Day
announcement, made by Dubai's two state-linked alcohol retailers, came
apparently from a government decree from its ruling Al Maktoum family. However,
government officials did not immediately acknowledge the decision and did not
respond to questions from The Associated Press
