regions middle east 4 1 2 3
Sharjah is targeting key Asian markets such as India, China, Indonesia and Malaysia. These new arrivals will use an expanded Sharjah airport, which will be able to handle 25 million passengers per year by 2023.
Ajman
Neighbouring Ajman is also growing in popularity despite being the smallest of the seven emirates. Easily accessible from the airports in Sharjah (15 minutes), Dubai (30 minutes) and Abu Dhabi (two hours), Ajman’s growing attractions, retail and activities options have boosted arrivals up by 1 in the first half of 201. Visitors are also drawn by new hotels
(Oberoi, Radisson Blu and Wyndham all opened properties this year and flagship developments such as Marina 1, a waterfront leisure park. Authorities hope the investment will help Ajman attract 700,000 visitors next year.
Also under development is Heritage District, due to open next year, while the citywide Qubes project has transformed 45 shipping containers into pop-up eateries. More authentic attractions include Ajman Museum, Ajman Pearl Experience, Souq Saleh for shopping and the wildlife of Al Zorah nature reserve: a protected wetland whose mangroves, creeks and wild flamingos are best seen from a kayak. Nikki Hain, Middle East product manager at UK-based Premier Holidays, says: “Ajman is the latest emirate capturing people’s attention. It’s just 30 minutes from Dubai airport, so clients can get here quicker than Dubai Palm, for example.”
Fujairah
History and wildlife also feature in Fujairah, which lies across the Hajar Mountains, some 45 minutes from
40 wtm insights winter 201
1. Dhayah Fort in Ras Al Khaimah was rebuilt in the 19th century and is the UAE’s highest hilltop fort
2. Al Noor is one of three mosques open to the public in Sharjah, which has 600 mosques overall
3. Ajman has invested in many new developments including Heritage District
4. Bedouin Oasis Camp in Ras Al Khaimah offers its guests luxury stays in the Arabian Desert
5. More active travellers can take advantage of mountain biking activities in the UAE
Dubai. “We are the only emirate exclusively fronting the Indian Ocean,” says Fujairah Tourism’s marketing and exhibitions coordinator Omar Bani Hamour, “which means we have completely different sea life to our neighbours. We also have the UAE’s oldest mosque – 700-year-old Al Badiyah – alongside new hotels and family attractions”.
The newest hotels include properties
from Fairmont and InterContinental, with Ritz-Carlton and The Address following next year. A wealth of historic attractions make this emirate stand out; Fujairah City has Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Fujairah Museum and a Heritage Village Museum, while further out lie a trio of forts: Fujairah, Al Hayl and Awhala. The Hajar Mountains form a backdrop to the city that is distinct from the other emirates’ dunes and desert. Here, visitors can hike, mountain bike or try other activities at noticeably cooler temperatures than found on the coast. Fujairah welcomed 700,000
international tourists in 2017, up 4% on the previous year, with ambitions to reach the one million mark within four years.
Umm Al Quwain
Perhaps the least well-known emirate, Umm Al Quwain is sleepier than its siblings. Tucked between Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah, it’s the antithesis of
glitzy Dubai, with few international branded hotels or malls. Instead, its appeal lies in sailing on the lagoon or spotting shorebirds and flamingos in one of several wildlife reserves. Visitors seeking more active pursuits can windsurf, kayak, canoe or ride horses. Motorised sports include sky- diving, quad biking and motor racing, while youngsters will enjoy the wave pools, slides and lazy river at Dreamland, one of the UAE’s largest water parks. Camel racing will entertain inland at the oasis town of Falaj Al Mualla.
Ras Al Khaimah The northernmost emirate is known
for history, culture and Jebel Jais – the UAE’s highest mountain and home to Jebel Jais Flight, the world’s longest zip-line. Ambitious growth plans have a target
of three million visitors by 2025. Visitor figures are up by 1 for the first half of 201 to more than 00,000, putting Ras Al Khaimah on course to achieve its target of one million arrivals this year. “We are investing heavily in developing our attractions and adventure offerings, says Haitham Mattar, chief executive of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority. “With our beaches, mountains and year-round sunshine all within 45 minutes of Dubai, we deliver real value-for-money for international and regional visitors.”
Germany is the emirate’s largest
international market, followed by Russia, Britain, India and Kazakhstan, while the Nordic region also performs well. Further growth will be driven by additional hotels: the existing 6,500 rooms will be joined by some 5,000 more over the next few years, including global brands such as Marriott, Movenpick and Anantara.
wtm.com 5
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60
