Over the weekend, it emerged that <b>Dubai World</b> . This development is a testament to the strategic shifts going on inside one of the country's largest and most powerful conglomerates. When the QE2 first arrived here last November, it was billed as the venerable vessel's "final voyage", but the economic downturn - especially in the property sector - is now forcing companies to make tough decisions. Cape Town is not a haphazard choice. Along with a group of investors, Dubai World bought the <b>Victoria & Alfred Waterfront</b> development near Cape Town's commercial port for about 7.5bn South African rand (Dh3.35bn) in 2006. The arrival of the QE2 would be a major boon to tourism in the whole area, especially with the World Cup coming to the city next year. Still, nothing is final. In a statement, <b>Nakheel</b> said: "In addition to alternative locations in Dubai, a number of ports in Africa and the Middle East have expressed interest in hosting her as a stationary hotel."