So ask Emirates. They're required by law to make sure they're not carrying undesirable aliens, so it's in their interest to make sure everything's in order. I'm pretty sure you'll be OK so long as you can persuade immigration that you're a bona-fide short term tourist, which is why a hotel booking is recommended. It might help to have ask your friends for their job details, address & RP number. (They'll know what that is.) If you're at all young or attractive, they'll be suspicious that you might be a prostitute.
Note that in all these respects, it's exactly the same for non-EC tourists entering the UK or Brits entering the USA.
So ask Emirates. They're required by law to make sure they're not carrying undesirable aliens, so it's in their interest to make sure everything's in order. I'm pretty sure you'll be OK so long as you can persuade immigration that you're a bona-fide short term tourist, which is why a hotel booking is recommended. It might help to have ask your friends for their job details, address & RP number. (They'll know what that is.) If you're at all young or attractive, they'll be suspicious that you might be a prostitute.
Note that in all these respects, it's exactly the same for non-EC tourists entering the UK or Brits entering the USA.