Key takeaways:
- Instagram influencers are frequently flown to Dubai for photo shoots and to enjoy a lavish lifestyle.
- Some influencers engage in degrading sexual practices in exchange for money and luxury experiences.
- Dubai's influencer culture is a response to the city's desire to become a global hub and attract international commerce.
The reality of influencer culture in Dubai is far from glamorous. While many influencers are attracted to the city for its modern architecture and luxurious lifestyle, others are lured by the prospect of meeting wealthy older men who offer them extravagant experiences in exchange for their beauty and youthfulness[2][3]. This arrangement, known as "luxury concierge," often involves participating in niche sexual practices, including being defecated on, in exchange for over 6,000[2].
Dubai's influencer culture is a response to the city's desire to become a global hub and attract international commerce. The city's planners are now consciously building with the Instagram aesthetic in mind, creating attractions and experiences designed for online consumption[3]. Dubai's vast influencer marketing industry is seen as a goldmine, particularly in neighboring Saudi Arabia, where influencers have been used to rehabilitate the kingdom's image[3].
In summary, the influencer culture in Dubai is a complex phenomenon that involves both the desire for luxury and the exploitation of young, attractive women. While some influencers enjoy the city's modern architecture and entertainment excursions, others engage in degrading sexual practices in exchange for money and luxury experiences. Dubai's influencer culture is a response to the city's desire to become a global hub and attract international commerce, and it has found imitators in neighboring Saudi Arabia.
Summary for: Youtube