I will always remember my first trip to the UAE, at the end of 2006, in particular
the chance to see its flourishing tourism
industry and cultural experience firsthand,
including the Sharjah Arts Museum
and impressive sports venues. I would
certainly recommend a trip to the Emirates to friends and would also recommend
a visit to the UK to Emiratis. We have a
great deal to offer.
Our country has a unique array of
historic buildings and
traditions but it's far
from a living museum.
Visitors for business or
pleasure can experience
the best of 21st century
culture, entertainment
and shopping.
London remains top of the list
for many people and must-see
places usually include world famous attractions like the Tower of London
and Madame Tussauds. However, I
would also encourage visitors to the
city to experience some of our newest
attractions like the world-leading Tate
Modern art gallery and the London
Eye, which offers amazing views
across the Capital.
Although our capital is one of the
most diverse cities in the world - and one
which many Emiratis have chosen to call
home or to invest in property - I think that
you will be very pleasantly surprised with
what we offer outside London.
Our regional capitals are all easily
accessible by air from the UAE,
and all offer big-name shops and
a full range of hotels and serviced
apartments. They are also ideal
bases to explore the countryside. For
example, Edinburgh and Glasgow
are a great start to any tour of the
Scottish Highlands, Manchester links
to the Lake District and Birmingham
is a short journey from Stratford, the
birthplace of Shakespeare. You'll
also find Islamic places of worship
and authentic food, as well as strong
Muslim communities across the UK.
Like the UAE, we are continuing
development of museums and galleries
– and visitors to Britain are always
happy to see that many are now free
of charge. And of course, the UK
always has a full programme of sports
events, from tennis at Wimbledon and
racing at Ascot, to newer attractions
including the Tour de France cycle
race – this summer starting for the first
time with an individual race around the
streets of London. The race is also on
towards the 2012 Olympics.
Nearly 40,000 Emiratis visited the
UK in 2005. I would like to see many
more in the future. They will find that,
wherever their tastes lead them, they
will not be disappointed.
Tessa Jowell is Britain's Secretary of State
for Culture, Media & Sport
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