By Baron Henri Estramant.
A million tourists visited the Emirate of Fujairah in 2014, the fifth largest Emirate in the UAE with a population of around 160,000 inhabitants.
The tourism sector in the emirate of Fujairah is promising continuous growth year after year; its most important change was linked to the increase in the number of resorts and hotels, which have doubled to suit all budgets. Fujairah Museum alone drew in last year ca. 40,000 visitors from outside the emirate, which is a record for the most relevant museum.
According to Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities’ Director Mr Saeed Al Samahi “the number of hotel rooms is expected to soar to nearly 5,000 rooms over the next three years in order to meet the growing demand for private rooms in the seasons of holidays and vacations as well as the spring”. During the next two years he is looking forward to the activation of the new laws and regulations relating to tourism as Mr Samahi stated during an interview for Al Khaleej newspaper.
The Emirate of Fujairah is an oasis of nature which appeals to all the tourists who want to enjoy the charm of attractive, calm, beaches and magnificent towering mountains. Its cultural and natural heritage is rich, including Fujairah Fort which is one of the most important places frequented by foreign tourists and visitors from within the UAE, the Fujairah Museum, Heritage Village, Al Badiyah Mosque (oldest extant in the UAE), Al Butna Castle, the natural reserves of Wurayah as well as the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which is the second largest mosque in the country. Fujairah International Airport serves the emirate.
Fujairah is ruled by the Sharqiyin Clan (Al Sharqi), led by His Highness The Amir of Fujairah, Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi (b. 25 Sept 1948) since 1974. His heir apparent is his eldest son by HH Sheikha Fatima bint Thani Al Maktoum, His Highness The Crown Prince of Fujairah, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi married to HH Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, daughter of the incumbent Vice President of the UAE and Emir of Dubai.
Executive authority is vested on His Highness The Amir of Fujairah who chairs His own government but is restricted in power by the observance and precedence of federal laws.
For more information:
Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Authority: http://www.fujairahtourism.ae/
Fujairah Museum: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/united-arab-emirates/the-east-coast/fujairah/sights/museums-galleries/fujairah-museum
