DRDubai: Fujairah, the only Emirate situated on the Indian Ocean and the eastern gateway to the UAE, has long been a family destination for both domestic and international tourists. The Emirate is mountainous and receives the highest amount of annual rainfall in the UAE and is one of the hot destinations for adventure enthusiasts, too.
According to Fujairah Statistics Centre, around 7,06,321 people stayed in 22 hotels in 2017. Of which, Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) comprised 4,47,452. While 1,91,755 travellers from European countries visited Fujairah in 2017, the number of visitors from Asian countries stood at 1,06,861.
Omar Bani Hamour, Marketing and Exhibitions Coordinator, Fujairah Tourism & Antiquities Authority, said, “UK is the major source market for us followed by Germany, India and Russia. Now, we are chalking out plans to woo Chinese travellers to the Emirate. Currently, we have 3362 rooms and the aim is to touch the 4000 mark by 2020. At present, the average duration of stay is four to five days.”
Known for its pristine beaches, Fujairah’s coastline extends 90 km along the Gulf of Oman. And it has also emerged as a hub for visitors seeking scuba diving or snorkelling. The host of historical attractions includes the Al Bidya Mosque, the oldest place of worship in the UAE which dates back to 1446.
The Fujairah Fort, one of the important and largest forts of the Emirate, is characterized by its position on a hill in the old Fujairah region, and built up to about 20 meters above sea level. The Fort dates back to the 16th century and offers stunning view of the entire city. The area surrounding the fort is now part of a Heritage Village set up by Fujairah’s Department of Archaeology and Heritage.
Fujairah Museum, located close to the Fort, features more than 3000 artifacts including weapons from the Bronze and Iron ages. The Hajar Mountains are also just a short drive away and there you will discover the popular Wadi al-Wurayah and the Al Hayl Fort, which was constructed close to 200 years ago.
One of the upcoming attractions in Fujairah is the Sheikh Zayed mosque, modelled after its namesake in Abu Dhabi. When complete, it will be the second largest mosque in the UAE and will serve 28,000 worshippers.
In another major development, Dibba Al Fujairah, the second largest city in the Emirate, is planning to open an exhibition centre later this year, which is expected to boost the local economy and tourism in a big way. Besides, the construction of Hamad bin Abdullah Road, a six-km, three-lane highway costing $68.7 million, is due to be completed by the first quarter of 2020.
As the Emirate sets its sights on welcoming more visitors to the east coast, Fujairah International Airport will see the runway upgraded to handle aircraft as large as an A380. The work, scheduled to be finished by 2020, is being funded by the Federal Government in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Airports Company. The 3750-m-long runway will also be widened from 46 m to 60 m to accommodate A380s – as a scheduled service.
The healthy influx of tourists to Fujairah has triggered major development in the Emirate’s hospitality industry as well. The Address Fujairah Resort + Spa, to be complete by 2019, comprises 196 room with a range of five-star amenities and four residential buildings that include 172 branded apartments, five beach villas and five garden villas. The development also features a 500-m. promenade, beach access and a unique plaza.
Located centrally in Eagle Hills Fujairah Beach, the new Palace Fujairah Beach, is a premium luxury hotel to be managed by Address Hotels + Resorts. Featuring contemporary architecture and Arabesque patterns, Palace Fujairah Beach will have 162 rooms and suites by the beachfront, and offer state-of-the-art fitness facilities, signature dining restaurants, lounges and world-class meeting venues.
A few months ago, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) opened the InterContinental Fujairah Resort in Dibba. The luxury resort is IHG’s first in the Middle East.
