The Ruler of Fujairah His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohamed Al Sharqi and His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Emirates Airline and president of Dubai Civil Aviation will be presented with commemorative `keys` to the UAE`s newest leisure destination of Al Aqah in the emirate of Fujairah, following a trade and media reception at the 10th Arabian Travel Market.

At the centre of the celebration was Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, the first international hotel to open in Fujairah for two decades, and the first in Al Aqah itself. The five-star resort has been flagged as the catalyst to firmly position the UAE`s east coast emirate on the tourism map.

Patrick Antaki, manager of the resort, also made a presentation of a limited edition, framed, antique key to His Excellency, Sheikh Saeed bin Saeed Al Sharqi, chairman of Fujairah Tourism Board and Le Meriden Al Aqah`s destination stand host at ATM. As well as Joseph Zahra, chairman of the hotel`s joint owning company, Hotel Resort & Investment Company.

He explained : Arabian Travel Market seemed like the natural place to hold a celebration of the Birth of a Destination, especially this year, as Le Meridien is focusing its communications drive on destination marketing. Fujairah has captured the interest of the inquisitive traveller and has had a presence at international travel trade fairs for some time now, and this year we believe the emirate`s offering is stronger and more appealing than ever. It really is a unique destination, particularly in Arabia, where it combines potential for both soft adventure with great sand beaches and more. What we have here at Al Aqah is a fantastic two kilometre silver sand beach, nearly year-round sunshine and the Indian Ocean as a marine playground, which in itself is a great sell.

A joint venture between Emirates airline and the Hotel & Resort Investment Company, Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort is located on a two kilometre sand beach on the Indian Ocean and has the UAE`s largest free-form pool, as well as a Wellness Centre, the Baywatch Village restaurant complex and four additional bars and restaurants.

Photo caption: Celebrating the destination of Al Aqah in the Emirate of Fujairah. From left to right: Joseph Zahra, chairman of the hotel`s joint owning company, Hotel Resort & Investment Company; Sheikh Saeed bin Saeed Al Sharqi, Chairman of Fujairah Tourism Board; Patrick Antaki, hotel manager of Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort; Khaled Mohammed Al Khamda, representative of the hotel`s other joint owning company, Emirates and Russel Sharpe, regional vice president, sales for Le Meridien in the Middle East and West Asia