To what degree will you overlook the “dark side” of a destination when on vacation?

I've just come across this blog and noticed this particular section is 2 years old but I'm gonna have a shot anyway! Overall I think we should boycott the UAE: I think the whole 'all countries have a bad side' argument is stupid, true but stupid. It simply disregards the scale of this situation. People mentioned Iran and China a lot, I know people from both countries and generally the workers live better quality lives. And in Iran at least can complain about it. People forget that the UAE has a GDP per capita comparable to the UK Being raped is a crime! you read that right.... immigrants make up virtually ALL the workforce AND the general population. And generally, not sometimes, generally, they are treated like crap. The UAE actively limit the freedom of its workers..they can't even strike. How many countries do that? As a British Bangladeshi who has experienced poverty first hand in Bangladesh I don't say this lightly.... But at least in the workers home countries they are with family and can be supported by NGO's and charities. Most importantly- most if not all of the money you spend will NOT go to these construction workers but to hotel staff instead. Two different groups of people. A boycott will be be particularly effective in Dubai who surprisingly don't rely on oil that much but more on tourism! Having said all of this... Realistically ......not enough people care for a boycott to make a difference so you should go and experience it anyway and find out for yourself how it is.

I might visit a non-free country if it is possible to avoid or minimize my financial support for the regime (staying in local guesthouses etc), however I refuse to visit countries where my visit is part of the regime's business plan, and that includes Dubai.

Hi Ben. I’m glad you finally addressed this issue. Personally, I won’t fly any airline or visit any country that holds their gay citizens criminal for being who they are. Much of the middle east is this way. Turkey is a gleaming exception to this fact, and one of the first countries to de-criminalize this in the world. Israel and a handful of others in the area are similar. Much of Africa is a VERY frightening place if you are gay and almost the entire Carribean is very anti-gay. One of your favorite airlines – Singapore – belongs to a city nation that has some severe (if not imposed) rules on the books. I am glad that India – a country that we are finally visiting – has de-criminalized homosexuality. I know this will probably get a lot of negative response from people – many of whom themselves live in countries where it is NOT illegal (such as the USA) – but isn’t this something that each person needs to consider: not just the injustices that the citizens or government of any country inflict on their own people or others on their land – but the unspoken things that are truths in each of these countries which apply to YOU the visiting tourist? Many thanks and pleasant travels, Tim Skinner

All very interesting responses, thanks folks! I just wanted to clarify two things: a) I realize every place has a dark side, which is why I put it in quotes. I meant a dark side that goes beyond what you can reasonably stomach, or where you feel your visit is contributing more to that problem than solving it. b) I wasn't suggesting there's an absolute dark side, and I wasn't suggesting that anyone should feel that way about the UAE. Everyone has different things that really bother them, so you could feel that way about any country.

@Rory I read the two articles you linked, and it wasn't clear that there were allegations that the Dubai piece was fabricated. Can you point out the specific passages that indicate such?