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.
