Tourism & Hospitality | Thursday 10 November, 2016 1:59 pm |

Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate's dedicated entity for culture, arts and heritage, wrapped up its showcase of Dubai’s flourishing culture, arts and heritage credentials at World Travel Market London in the United Kingdom. As part of the Emirates’ unified stand at the event and in collaboration with the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), the Authority featured a series of its creative initiatives which contribute to boosting the Emirate’s cultural scene.

His Excellency Saeed Al Nabouda, Acting Director General of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, said: “As the leading global event for the travel industry, World Travel Market London represented a great opportunity to enhance awareness of Dubai’s cultural identity and help to drive its creative economy. By joining forces with DCTM and other government organizations, we presented the Emirate’s rich and authentic national heritage as will soon be represented at the Etihad Museum — one of the key landmarks at the heart of the Dubai visitor experience and helping to transform the city into an open-air museum.”

A modern Arabic calligraphy interpretation of the iconic Burj Khalifa on canvas engaged the crowds with a creative expression of the best of Arabic art, uniquely commissioned for the event by Emirati Artist Ahmed Al Hosani. The artist was chosen as UAE representative for his strong artistic capabilities, which have achieved awards with several UAE and international art competitions.

National heritage was a central focus of Dubai Culture’s presence at the event, as it made its first overseas announcement of the Etihad Museum. At World Travel Market London, the Authority highlighted how the museum presents experience-driven exhibitions, interactive programmes and educational initiatives that explore the chronology of events which culminated in the formation of the Union of the Emirates. Through interactive exhibits and learning programmes, Etihad Museum tells the story of the Union’s creation from the perspective of the country’s leaders. 

Staged annually in London, the World Travel Market London offers a diverse range of destinations and industry sectors to UK and international travel professionals, and is a vibrant must-attend business-to-business event. It provides a unique opportunity for the global travel trade to meet, network, negotiate and conduct business. 

Dubai Culture is instrumental in establishing Dubai as a global centre for creativity and enhancing the city's cultural identity. Dubai Culture promotes creative exchange, drives artistic innovation and aims to showcase the strong role that the cultural scene plays in driving tourism, a core economic sector for the city.