We have been coming to or travelling through Dubai since 1997 and have never stopped marvelling at its development. It has been like visiting a Hollywood set or as my wife described, an adult’s Disneyland!

Dubai is awesome; it overwhelms but then as a regular visitor, you subconsciously accept the scale of what has been achieved. And then along comes the newly named Burj Khalifa, a structure so magnificent it almost defies description.

Like the Eiffel Tower, which later became iconic and symbolic of all things French and Parisienne, The Burj Khalifa will do similar. The full impact may not be till much later when its image may adorn postage stamps or may even be the symbol of the Olympics when they eventually find their way to the Emirates. It certainly is now the most recognisable structure in the world.

The open ceremony was dazzling and typical of the standards set by the rulers of Dubai. It was thrilling being here and we won’t be slow in boasting such when we get back home to the UK. Dubai has its detractors (mainly from outside the UAE and those who typically have never been here!) but its residents justifiably basked in pride on Tuesday night. It’s not going to be easy to surpass this but I am guessing that The Burj Khalifa is just another stepping stone, I cannot imagine what will come next but then again I don’t have the vision of Sheikh Mohammed.

Michael Rodrigues is Managing Director of UK-based Mercury Design Ltd.