In the latest edition of CNN’s Quest’s World of Wonder – a monthly travel show, hosted by the globe-trotting Richard Quest – the programme explores how Dubai has transformed itself from a small trading outpost into a global metropolis in less than 50 years.

To understand this transformation and the true essence of the city, Quest begins his journey at the Dubai Creek where he meets Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem. Having started his career as a customs inspector in the 1970s, Bin Sulayem outlines how trading and the creek are part of the city’s heritage before the expansion of tourism.

“It wasn’t easy like today, but we survived. And so how do you survive?  Necessity is the mother of invention and everything in Dubai is innovation.” Bin Sulayem tells CNN. “It’s the commerce and trader mentality. Trading, commerce, ambition, belief.”

Quest then explores how the vast expanse of Dubai’s skyline has developed since the United Arab Emirates was founded in 1971. He is joined by photographer Ramesh Shukla, who has been capturing the key developments in the UAE since 1965 – including what has become one of the most iconic images in the history of the country – the Spirit of the Union photograph.

“I arrived with 50 rolls and my camera. When I first arrived, there was nothing.” Shukla tells Quest. “There were no proper roads, only desert. I felt it was not a modern city. There was no running water and no electricity where I stayed. Nothing. This was real life. Very simple. I began to capture this life.”

To explore why more than 200 nationalities call the city home, Quest meets Dubai-resident Caroline Stanbury over lunch to further understand its global appeal as a destination for glamour and lifestyle.

Before his departure, Quest travels to the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre to hear how the UAE’s future ambitions extend beyond earth. He speaks to the head of the UAE’s Astronaut Programme, Salem Al Marri, on why the country are making such an investment following the launch of a space probe to Mars in 2020.

“Why not? We love it. I mean, if you look at what we’re doing here, we’re providing an excellent opportunity for our young people.” Al Marri explains. “A lot of the stars have Arabic names. Arabs, Muslim explorers, are always looking towards the sky to the stars. Definitely there’s a path from what our ancestors have done, whether it’s a thousand or a hundred years ago, to where we’re going today.“

Quest’s World of Wonder airs on CNN International at the following times (all GST):

Saturday 23^rd January at 10:30

Sunday 24^th January at 07:00 and 10:00

Monday 25^th January at 02:30

Saturday 20^th January at 10:00 and 15:00

Sunday 31^st January at 22:00

Monday 1^st February at 08:00