Heritage tourism in focus in Dubai

Major tourism projects are in the pipeline for Dubai’s roadmap, as the emirate paves its way to achieve its 20 million visitors target in the next seven years, with double digit growth being chartered to mark this sector’s contribution to the annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2020.

The Al Fahidi historical district redevelopment to convert the neighbourhood in a pedestrian-only throughway is the latest project to be at the discussion stage by official, lending weight to Dubai’s Vision for Tourism: By 2020, that aims to triple its annual contribution made by tourism to the city’s economy from its current estimates of Dh100bn.

Speaking to Emirates 24|7 Dr Ahmad Belhoul, CEO of Strategy and Tourism Sector Development, at Dubai’s Department of Tourism Commerce Marketing (DTCM) said: “Currently, tourism accounts for five per cent of the overall GDP. We are targeting a double digit percentage by 2020.”

Breaking the economics down further, Dr Belhoul said: “The average tourist in Dubai spends $250-$300 per day, with annual income generated at Dh600m. Our plan is to increase this number to Dh840m by 2015.”

Even as Dubai targets the World Expo 2020, the DTCM rep is quick to point out that the tourism development plans will complement, but do not depend on the emirate’s successful bid.

Tourism development

To achieve this growth, Dr Belhoul revealed the DTCM’s plans to fill in the tourism gaps that have thus far remained unfulfilled.

“In the past, the core strength in tourism has been beach holidays, shopping and sightseeing. To hit the 20m tourist figure, we are looking at different targets where gaps remain,” he explained. “Segments such as sport and heritage and culture tourism is where our feasibility study has led us and these are markets we are willing to pump money into and develop further.”

Several years ago, a blueprint of a revamped and redeveloped Al Fahidi district in Bur Dubai had emerged, which was expected to become a pedestrian-only throughway, in a bid to preserve the historical neighbourhood as part of the heritage project for the emirate.

Since, the only project that has emerged is the Dh50.5m Al Fahidi Market by Dubai Municipality, which is almost ready and is amongst the first that applies green building specifications along with the use of solar energy system for lights and water heating and cooling.

The market, spanning 27,000 square metres, allocates specific areas for different types of trade activities such as food, fabrics, toys, handicrafts, traditional products and gold.

Meanwhile, the main building comprising a basement, ground floor and first floor is expected to house 232 shops, 15 cafeterias and 32 kiosks, while a 300-cars car park is also on the plan.

Quiz Dr Belhoul about further development of this heritage district to create the entire neighbourhood into a pedestrian-friendly zone, and he announced the plan was back on the agenda once again, despite delays.

“We are closely working with the Roads and Transports Authority on the feasibility of revamping the neighbourhood and the infrastructure involved in this project,” he revealed. “There isn’t much more I can speak about this officially, but it is back on the agenda. We don’t have a set timeframe, but preserving this neighbourhood as a tourism landmark will happen.”

Some of the other mega projects on the cards that Dubai Municipality announced earlier this month include a Holy Quran Park and a Maritime Museum and eight other projects that cost nearly Dh900 million.

The Director-General of the Dubai Municipality, Hussain Nasser Lootah, has set a completion date by the end of 2014, which will also include the Dh150million Dubai Safari and the Dh120 million Dubai Frame projects.

The Al Fahidi Market construction will be followed by the Al Ayas Shopping Complex in Al Ayas area and a birds and animals market with unique features including a hotel for the pets.

Costing Dh50.5 million and spread across 27,000 square metres, the market resembles Souq Naif in Deira in terms of its traditional architecture.

Allocating specific areas for different types of trade activities such as food, fabrics, toys, handicraft, traditional products and gold, the project also aims to promote small trade activities of the local community.

A traditional heritage market in Hatta will showcase the deep-rooted traditional inheritances and help tourists enjoy the nature of the district.

By the middle of 2015, Dubai will receive a state-of-the art Dh250million fish market sprawling an area of 120,000 square metres in Deira and a market for used furniture and antiques in Nad Al Sheba 3 area.





 

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