Author: HISHAM S. GABR

Source: Event Management, Volume 8, Number 4, 2003 , pp. 223-230(8)

Publisher: Cognizant Communication Corporation

Abstract:

Historical sites in the City of Dubai have recently been used for events during the city's popular tourist attraction, the annual winter Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF). This article investigates the possibility of productive and sustainable use of historical sites for events during the DSF, while preserving the heritage, integrity, and fragile built environment of these sites. The aim of this development strategy is to attract more visitors, to attract special types of tourists, to promote cultural experiences, and to enhance the market economy. Representative samples of residents and potential tourists were surveyed to assess their attitudes towards possible uses of historic sites. Among the factors studied in the survey are consumer acceptance of the idea of exploiting historic sites for festival events, perceived meanings of the preservation of historic buildings, suggestions for kinds of possible use, and opinions on strategies use. The results of the study could assist the Historical Building Section of the Dubai Municipality to decide appropriate uses of the historic sites that are under their jurisdiction. Moreover, the findings should serve architects and help developers to understand development needs and requirements that support sustainable goals of environmentally sensitive and culturally rich historic sites.

Keywords: Historic buildings; Heritage conservation; Festivals and events; Tourism; Sustainable development; Dubai

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Cairo University, Egypt

Publication date: 2003-01-01

More about this publication?

• Event Management, an International Journal, intends to meet the research and analytic needs of a rapidly growing profession focused on events. This field has developed in size and impact globally to become a major business with numerous dedicated facilities, and a large-scale generator of tourism. The field encompasses meetings, conventions, festivals, expositions, sport and other special events. Event management is also of considerable importance to government agencies and not-for-profit organizations in a pursuit of a variety of goals, including fund-raising, the fostering of causes, and community development.

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