Fujairah focuses on variety to draw holidaymakers

Dubai/Fujairah Fujairah has always sought to market its many tourist attractions, which include — besides sunbathing at the beach — activities such as diving, climbing, deepsea fishing, driving through the dunes and wadis, bird-watching and even (bloodless) bull-fighting.

The coastal area between Al Faqit and Al Aqah, just south of Dibba, is a popular destination for holiday-makers, with a couple of upscale hotels, long and sandy beaches and many diving and snorkelling sites.

The scenic coastal strip along the Indian Ocean sprawls north to the Musandam peninsula on Omani territory, where it merges with the rugged mountain landscape of the Hajar range.

Last June, His Highness Shaikh Hamad Bin Mohammad Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, issued a decree constituting the Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Authority as an independent body replacing the Fujairah Tourism Bureau (founded in 1996) and the Department of Heritage and Archaeology.

"The government of Fuj-airah is actively promoting the ongoing development of Fujairah as [a] tourist destination, opening up great opportunities for investors to share in our success," says the authority's chairman Saeed Bin Saeed Al Sharqi.

The targets for Fujairah's tourism development have been set: highlighting the natural beauty of the region and showcasing its historical sites, enhancing the airport facilities, providing more malls and entertainment facilities, earning recognition as a bona fide stop for cruise ships and adding more hotel beds to cope with tourist numbers.

Apart from that, the recognition of Fujairah's Wadi Wurayah as the first protected mountain area in the UAE has bolstered the emirate's standing in eco-tourism.

Historical sites

Fujairah's historical and archaeological sites include a number of castles, forts, watchtowers and places of worship such as the Al Bidya mosque which is still in use after more than 550 years.

More than seven Arab and foreign archaeological excavation teams have worked in Fujairah, excavating important sites and treasures from around Dibba, Al Bidya, Al Bithna, Murbeh and Qidfa.

The 200-room Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, the Hilton Fujairah, the Royal Beach Alfaqit Hotel, the JAL Fujairah Resort and Spa, the Iberotel Miramar Al Aqah Beach, the town hotel Al Diar Siji and the Rotana Hotel Fujairah among others have helped cater to the increasing number of visitors in recent years.