60 per cent of visitors were Emiratis and UAE residents

Over 400 activities conducted in Al Shindagha during the festival

Dubai, February 4, 2012: The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has announced that about a quarter million people from various nationalities visited the heritage sites complex in Al Shindagha where it conducted a variety of programmes as part of its 17th successive year participation in the Dubai shopping Festival (DSF-2012).

Mr. Khalid bin Gharib, Director of Hatta Heritage Village and Chairman of DTCM Organising Committee for DSF-2012 Programmes, said the number of residents and tourists who visited the Heritage Village and Diving Village crossed the 230,000 mark almost days ahead of the closure of the 32-day festivities on February 5.

He said about 60 per cent of visitors to the popular public picnic facility were Emiratis and residents of the UAE, followed by GCC visitors, Asians and European tourists.

Mr. Nasser Juma, Director Diving Village and Member of DTCM Organising Committee for DSF-2012 Programmes, said over 420 activities were conducted during the festival's launch on January 5, providing visitors insights into the rich history and culture of the UAE in general and Dubai in particular.

Mr. Anwar Al Hanai, Director of Heritage Village, said some of the programmes which were very popular with the visitors were classic car exhibition, stage shows by school children, mock wedding ceremonies, traditional cooking shows, handicrafts and traditional music and dances by the Emirati nationals.

The Al Shindagha complex offers visitors a splendid set of old maps exhibiting urban growth of Dubai in the last century, desert life, traditional Arabian homes, mosques, fishing, farming, dhow building, pearl diving and every-day trading. Colorful and suggestive dioramas complete with life-size figures and sound and lighting effects illustrate life in Dubai's old days. 

The Heritage Village focuses on the UAE's maritime past, trading activities and local history. The heritage sites in Shindagha comprise genuinely restored and fully equipped structures, representing traditional life in the UAE. The purpose of the sites is to safeguard the culture and architectural heritage of Dubai to ensure that present and future generations have an opportunity to celebrate their heritage.

At the Hatta Heritage Village, visitors will be able to watch Bedouin traditions, arts and crafts and hospitality. The Hatta Heritage Village, situated 115 Km southeast of Dubai city in the heart of the rocky Hatta Mountains, provides visitors with a fascinating glimpse into Dubai's historical past. The history of the village can be traced back to 2000-3000 years. It consists of 30 buildings, each differing in size, interior layout and building materials.

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For further information, please contact:
Saad El Sayed
Head of English/Arabic Media
Email: selsayed@dubaitourism.ae
Tel: +9714-2010424
Mobile: 050-6539100  

© Press Release 2012