Sixteen Percent Increase In Number Of Visitors To Dubai Heritage Sites

The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has announced 16 per cent increase in the number of visitors to heritage sites in the emirate in 2008 compared with the previous year.

Abdullah Al Mutairi, DTCM Consultant and Director of Heritage Sites, said the heritage sites operated by the DTCM received 1,009,848 visitors last year, up from 873,831 recorded in the year 2007.

The heritage sites under DTCM’s supervision are Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House, Dubai Museum, Al Ahmadiah School, Heritage House, Heritage Village, Diving Village, Umm Al Shief Majlis, Naif Museum and Hatta Heritage Village.

He attributed the sharp increase in number of visitors to the aggressive promotional and marketing agenda being pursued by the department locally and internationally through the network of 18 overseas representative offices operated by the DTCM. He said a number of heritage sites have undergone renovation and expansion last year, offering various facilities and attraction to the tourists.

Emiratis topped the list with 24,206 visitors followed by Indians with 10,635. German visitors numbered 8213 followed by UK nationals with 6959.

Dubai Museum received 649,058 visitors while Al Ahmadiah School and Heritage House welcomed 63277 visitors. Sheikh Saeed House hosted a total of 45376 visitors. The Archaeological Site in Al Quoz attracted 92,429 visitors and Hatta Heritage Village was visited by 111,054 people. Naif Museum attracted 3654 visitors.

Best Cultural Experiences

• Bastakiya.
This restored historic neighborhood of meandering lanes, traditional Gulf houses, and ornate wind towers characteristic of early Dubai also has a number of restaurants, shops, and galleries.

• Dubai Museum.
The Al Fahidi Fortturned- museum represents Dubai life in its pre-oil days with re-creations of a souk, early Arabian homes, mosques, and date gardens. There are also exhibits of desert and marine life.

• Jumeirah Mosque.
Although non- Muslims are typically not allowed to enter mosques in the UAE, the beautiful Jumeirah Mosque is an exception. Cultural tours are offered 4 mornings a week through the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding.

• Spice Souk.
This traditional market close to the Gold Souk offers a glimpse of Dubai as it once was, a place with winding alleyways of stalls packed with exotic fragrances, Arabic seasonings, herbs, perfume oils, andother delights.