Residents return to Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah beaches as they reopen after nearly 3 weeks

Detailed summary

Residents return to their favourite beaches as cooler weather draws families outdoors, while hotels report a recovery in bookings after weeks of closures ...

Families, swimmers and beachgoers are returning to the shores of Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah after nearly three weeks of beach closures, with residents welcoming the chance to enjoy the cooler weather and hotels reporting a recovery in bookings following an offshore oil spill.

The reopening has brought relief to residents who regularly visit the beaches to exercise, relax or for family outings. Tourism operators, meanwhile, say demand is beginning to recover after weeks of disruption.

For Ras Al Khaimah resident Jassim Al Hamam, returning to Flamingo Beach meant getting back to his favourite exercise routine.

Al Hamam, who usually visits the beach two to three times a week for walking and running, said he was delighted to hear that the beaches had reopened.

During the closure, he continued exercising at the gym and along the corniche, but said neither offered quite the same experience as being by the sea.

"It didn't really affect my routine because I started going to the gym and the corniche instead. But the beach is always better," he said.

Returning to Flamingo Beach for the first time since the closure, Al Hamam said the pleasant weather made the experience even more enjoyable.

"It's a beautiful feeling, especially because the weather is getting so nice," he said.

He added that running on the beach offers a different experience because of the soft sand and fresh sea breeze. Al Hamam, who typically exercises in the afternoons after work, said he usually visits the beach alone, although he occasionally meets friends and acquaintances along the way.

Opening of the article, excerpted from Khaleej Times. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.