Culture vulture

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The Sharjah Archaeology Museum.

Cultural attractions help illustrate the rich heritage of Gulf region. Leisure Manager meets Sharjah Museums Department director-general Manal Ataya to find out more.

How important are cultural attractions to the overall tourism industry in the Gulf region?

Cultural attractions are very important for various reasons. Firstly they represent the tangible and intangible heritage of a place and thus help the local community to interpret the history and story of a particular area, city, and people to its visitors. Within the context of the Gulf region, cultural attractions become even more significant as this region is rapidly developing and is in need for other offerings besides the commercial for its residents, but also its tourists to understand and appreciate the history and culture of a given nation.

Secondly, cultural tourism generates economic benefits which have been recognised by many destinations in the Gulf region. Therefore we can see particular emirates in the UAE, for instance, showing a strong commitment to the development of large cultural attractions.

In comparison to other more ‘tourism experienced’ mature Arab destinations like Egypt for example, tourism in the GCC region is still relatively new however (apart from religious tourism like Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca) and thus deserves a more sensitive approach to tourism planning, promotion and development.

Cultural attractions like museums, and those for example like our Sharjah Archaeology Museum, Sharjah Heritage Museum and the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation in particular, become ‘cultural mediators’ between local hosts and foreign guests by providing in depth knowledge about the region’s history, culture and religion and are critical in fostering a greater understanding of the place among tourists.

This helps by minimising misperceptions and stereotypes and in doing so tourists who are educated and more knowledgeable about the region’s culture are more appreciative of it more and quite often adhere more to local customs. In so doing, the tourism industry leaves less negative footprints on the local community and the development of tourism becomes more sustainable for the destination.

What kind of government support is given to cultural attractions?

The government of Sharjah has recognized the various benefits of cultural attractions and hence greatly supports their development. As the third largest emirate in the UAE, Sharjah has for a long time had much to offer in terms of cultural attractions receiving the award of Cultural Capital of the Arab Region in 1998.

Over two decades ago now, the Department of Culture and Information was established with various directorates created within its structure such as arts, antiquities and heritage to ensure that Sharjah’s growing cultural institutions were given the attention and enhancement they needed. In 2006, the ruler of Sharjah established the independent organisation of Sharjah Museums Department (SMD), to further strengthen and develop its now large family of 16 museums.

SMD aims to achieve locally and internationally an understanding, appreciation and respect for Sharjah’s identity and for the value of its cultural and natural heritage. The department is fully funded by the government which again demonstrates the great support of the authorities.

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