Sharjah to feature at International Tourism Exchange ITB

The Emirate of Sharjah will be participating at this key occasion for the tenth time after its accomplishments made during the 2006 event; where its stand drew record numbers from across the tourism industry. Officials state that its contribution to last year's event helped garner a greater number of German tourists to the emirate than in previous years.

As part of Sharjah's international promotional drive, a delegation from the emirate will be led by H.E Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Chairman of Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) in addition to senior representatives from the tourism sector. The team will also include individuals from the Sharjah International Airport Authority, Sharjah National Hotels, Coral Beach Resort, Radisson SAS Resort, Millennium Hotel, Lou' Lou Beach Resort, Orient Tours, Embassy Suite, Arabian Link Tours, Qanat Al Qasba and Sharjah Museums Department.

Sharjah's participation at this event comes at a time when the emirate is actively seeking ways to augment its global identity as a world class destination for tourism; consolidating its position in the market and attracting greater numbers to its shores.

"There is no doubt that our commitment to this exhibition year after year demonstrates the strategic importance this fair has in our plans for developing Sharjah's international tourism sector and the attracting of more foreign tourists to the emirate",

said Mohamed A. Al Noman, Director General of SCTDA.

"After last year's involvement, Sharjah witness over than 50,000 German tourists with an increase of 10 % than 2005 - an achieved feat made possible as we successfully showed this market exactly what we as an emirate have to offer." he added.

At this year's event the 176 sq. m. exhibition stand will showcase diverse aspects of Sharjah's rich heritage and culture. The attractions to be promoted will include several key landmarks in Sharjah, which are of a high architectural value, aptly representing the emirate's elegant heritage. To build on last year's success, SCTDA will distribute a bilingual (English/German) newsletter that will provide cultural and historical information on Sharjah, in addition to providing Emirati heritage activities including henna hand painting and various aspects of Arabian Hospitality.

The International Tourism Exchange ITB Berlin is known throughout the world as the leading trade fair for the global tourism industry, where more than 10,000 exhibitors participate yearly - of which 30% of the trade visitors are foreigners.