Sharjah's new branding steals the show at ATM 2008

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, received HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai's Civil Aviation Department, HRH Prince Sultan Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, the Secretary General of the Higher Tourism Authority (HTA), H.E Dr. Bandar Bin Fahad Al-Fuhaid, President of the Arab Tourism Organization and a number of other VIPs, CEOs of leading travel and tourism agencies, heads of delegations, ambassadors, elite businessmen and a group of media representatives who visited the Sharjah stand in the course of the leading travel and tourism networking event.

Senior members of the Sharjah delegation to the ATM 2008 held discussions with their global industry counterparts on effective ways to enhance tourism relations, since Sharjah has become a favorite destination for tourists from countries such as Germany, who see Sharjah as a symbol of heritage and historical and cultural tourism, as well as appreciating the many other attractions that have boosted the emirate's position on the world tourism map.

The new Brand Sharjah has stolen the show at the Middle East's premier travel and tourism expo, showcasing the unique diversity of the core elements and components of Sharjah's new identity. Striving for excellence in terms of both, function and aesthetics, the emirate of Sharjah is exhibiting on a unique stand with designs highlighting all the elements and components of the recently launched Brand Sharjah.

The 440 meter stand, 30% larger than last year's, displays the emirate's cultural, heritage and tourist attractions, as well as educational, entertainment and business facilities, in addition to showing off the exquisite beauty of the emirate's eastern coast. The SCTDA is keen to provide the visitors with information on the emirate in both Arabic and English, particularly with its "Explore Sharjah" publication, whereby visitors can familiarize themselves with the emirate's many unique attractions at their leisure.

In this, its 11th appearance at the ATM, the Sharjah delegation was headed by SCTDA Chairman, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qassimi, and included senior representatives from the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, Al Qasba Development Authority, the Sharjah Museums Department, the Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club, the Radisson Sas Resort, the Sharjah Millennium Hotel, the Embassy Suites, Sharjah National Hotels (Holiday International, Marbella Resort & Oceanic Hotel & Resort), the MH Group of Hotels, (Sharjah Carlton Hotel, Beach Hotel Sharjah, Nova Park Hotel, Golden Beach Motel), Al Khalidiah Tourism, Tropic International Tours, the Spark Residence, Al Maha Regency Suites, Al Bustan Beach Hotel, the Prime Tower Hotel, the Sharjah Premier Hotel and Resort and Lou Lou'a Beach Resort.

Sharjah's participation in the four-day expo saw the official debut of Brand Sharjah, launched at a special ceremony last week. The event represented a significant platform from which to launch the new brand globally and to promote the emirate's new identity, which includes important strategies and initiatives that will add further momentum to Sharjah's rapidly growing tourism sector and will help to further advance the emirate's position as a leader on the world tourism map.

With Sharjah becoming an increasingly sought-after destination for tourists from all over the world, the SCTDA has made it a priority to boost the emirate's already leading position on the map. To achieve this goal, the authority is actively involved in the organization of and participation in local, regional and international conferences and exhibitions, with the aim of introducing and promoting the emirate of Sharjah as a premier tourist destination in the region, highlighting its unique tourist attractions.

Sharjah's participation in and strong presence at the Arabian Travel Market for the past 11 consecutive years is an important part of this strategy, seeing that the ATM is the Middle East's premier event for the tourism sector.