DUBAI – In extremely positive news for the UAE's tourism & shopping sector, the industry has been projected to grow at an impressive 6.5 percent per year until 2021, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) said. The optimistic forecast is a massive boost to the prospects of the UAE's entertainment and shopping destinations, particularly new attractions like Al Shaab Village in Sharjah. The world-class mega-attraction has commenced operations in its first phase which is worth a mammoth AED100 million. Its second phase will be launched in six months, and is valued at AED50 million. The study zoomed in on the precise types of tourism spending, and reveals that the vast majority of tourists' expenditure in the UAE (74.7 percent) was devoted to leisure activities. The news will be warmly welcomed by destinations which excel in leisure attractions. For instance Al Shaab Village has state-of-the-art amenities for family leisure, entertainment, gaming, theater, art, culture and wellness, to compliment its retail therapy offerings. The secret to the UAE's tourism and shopping boom has been attributed to the diversification of its offerings, which lures visitors of all ages, nationalities, cultures and tastes. This is the rationale behind Al Shaab Village's mass market appeal, as it strives to cater to a broad spectrumfrom families to individuals, from young gaming enthusiasts to older cultural connoisseurs, from young couples bonding over romantic cuisine to older academics expanding their minds with the artistic and research offerings. Abdulla Al Dah, CEO Al Zajil Fair Management, was very upbeat about the growth projections: "These optimistic forecasts confirm our belief that this is the perfect time to launch Al Shaab Village.Although the UAE boasts numerous world-class tourist destinations, we have embraced this competition and challenged ourselves to deliver attractions that are more unique than the rest. By enticing more tourists to the country, this is our way of giving back to the emirate and to the UAE. It will bring ripple benefits to the infrastructure, the industry and the economy as a whole." As further proof of the viability of the UAE's tourism and shopping sector, 100 percent of the rental space at Al Shaab Village has already been booked by enthusiastic investors. Al Shaab Village expects a high turnout of shoppers, families and general pleasure seekers in its first phase which started last week. Located in central Sharjah, Al Shaab Village is the culmination of a joint venture between Al Shaab Club and Al Zajil Fair Management. Against this backdrop, the future looks overwhelmingly positive not only for Al Shaab Village, but for the UAE's tourism and shopping sector as a whole. - Agencies
