16% increase in number of visitors to Dubai heritage sites

Mr. Abdullah Al Mutairi, DTCM Consultant and Director of Heritage Sites, said the heritage sites operated by the DTCM received 1,009,848 visitors last year, up from 873,831 recorded in the year 2007.

The heritage sites under DTCM's supervision are Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House, Dubai Museum, Al Ahmadiah School, Heritage House, Heritage Village, Diving Village, Umm Al Shief Majlis, Naif Museum and Hatta Heritage Village.

He attributed the sharp increase in number of visitors to the aggressive promotional and marketing agenda being pursued by the department locally and internationally through the network of 18 overseas representative offices operated by the DTCM. He said a number of heritage sites have undergone renovation and expansion last year, offering various facilities and attraction to the tourists.

Emiratis topped the list with 24,206 visitors followed by Indians with 10,635. German visitors numbered 8213 followed by UK nationals with 6959.

Dubai Museum received 649,058 visitors while Al Ahmadiah School and Heritage House welcomed 63277 visitors. Sheikh Saeed House hosted a total of 45376 visitors. The Archaeological Site in Al Quoz attracted 92,429 visitors and Hatta Heritage Village was visited by 111,054 people. Naif Museum attracted 3654 visitors.