SCTDA to take part in Arabian Travel Market 2008

The event expects to feature more than 382 exhibitors and 23.000 visitors from 100 countries as well as 976 journalists from 43 countries.

Sharjah delegation will be headed by SCTDA Chairman, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qassimi and will include senior representatives from Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, Al Qasba Development Authority, Sharjah Museums Department, Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club, Radisson Sas Resort, Sharjah Millennium Hotel, Embassy Suites, Sharjah National Hotels (Holiday International, Marbella Resort & Oceanic Hotel & Resort), MH Group of Hotels (Sharjah Carlton Hotel, Beach Hotel Sharjah, Nova Park Hotel, Golden Beach Motel), Al Khalidiah Tourism, Tropic International Tours, Spark Residence, Al Maha Regency Suites, Al Bustan Beach Hotel, Prime Tower Hotel, Sharjah Premier Hotel and Resort and Lou Lou'a Beach Resort.

Sharjah's participation in the four days expo will see the official debut of Brand Sharjah, launched in a special ceremony last week. The event will represent a significant platform to launch the new brand globally and to promote the new identity which includes important strategies and initiatives that will add a further momentum to the already fast growing Sharjah's tourism and will help enhance the leading position of the emirate on the world's tourism map.

The SCTDA is consistent with its strategy of making strong presence at leading international travel and tourism events, and its appearance in this year edition of ATM comes after a resounding success achieved in its involvement last year. Sharjah's stand at ATM2007 was a center of attention for leading international travel and tourism players.

Striving for excellence in functional and aesthetic appearance, SCTDA will exhibit via a unique stand with designs highlighting all the elements and components of the recently launched Brand Sharjah. The 440 meter stand, a 30% larger than last year, will display the cultural, heritage and tourist attractions as well as educational, entertaining and business facilities in addition to the eastern coast. The SCTDA is keen to provide the visitors with information materials about the emirate in both Arabic and English to familiarize them with the unique attractions of the emirate.

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Chairman of Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Development Authority, stressed the importance of this participation in the region's largest trade and consumer travel show, saying that it will be an ideal platform to launch the new Brand Sharjah on international level.

"As this year edition will see a substantial increase in the number of exhibitors, tourist destinations and products, the ATM 2008 will represent an important platform for us to promote the new identity of the emirate which is considered as a turning point in our promotional strategies. The event will provide us with a unique opportunity to showcase our host of distinctive tourist products to promote Sharjah as a world class tourist destination," Al Qassimi said.

Speaking of the Brand Sharjah, Al Qassimi said: "The new brand mark development was initiated by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority with the aim of creating the emirate's identity as a top regional and international tourism and business destination. The promotion of our new identity, based on a well-researched strategy and not just on a tagline, will no doubt pose a challenge, as we intend to include a broad range of sectors in the promotion of tourism and commerce in the emirate. We will be relying on the support of each sector to increase the tourist and capital influx into the emirate, while simultaneously developing each of these sectors in the emirate."

"The current challenge in the Middle East's growing tourism market calls for coordinated efforts and using of all the capabilities to create an innovative tourist destination. To serve this purpose, we are determined to offer a great alternative to the clichéd Arab "Cities of the Future". Only Sharjah can rightfully claim to be a destination that is committed to the conservation of its distinct values, culture, and Islamic roots. All the concerned parties in the promotion of the emirate as a unique tourist destination are working as one team to achieve this purpose,"

he added.

Speaking about the importance of Sharjah's participations in different international events, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qassimi said: "Our international participations in different parts of the world have resulted in growing the travel and tourism sector in Sharjah and considerably increasing the number of tourists visiting the emirate year on year. Sharjah has occupied a leading position as a world class destination, and the authority is working hard to enhance this position on the local and international levels. Our strategy aims to cater to the needs of Sharjah's tourism market and to focus on all the importance facets to achieve growth in tourism sector."

Worth mentioning that the SCTDA in its capacity as the organizer of Sharjah's delegation to the ATM2008, has held a meeting for members of the delegation to review the details of the preparation program for the 11th participation in the ME leading travel and tourism event.

The authority has provided all the means to make the participation of the largest ever delegation to the ATM a tremendous success in all aspects.