Sharjah attracted 228.000 GCC tourists in 2007

This tour is the first following the launch of the emirate's new identity, and will include 6 major GCC destinations, namely, Doha, Bahrain, Kuwait, Dammam, Riyadh and Jeddah, during the period from 19th to 28th of May 2008.

This Road Show is part of SCTDA's efforts to encourage the regional tourist activities, strengthen tourist ties among GCC countries and promote Sharjah's unique attractions as a world class destination for heritage, cultural and family tourism.

Sharjah delegation includes, in addition to SCTDA, senior representatives from Al Qasba Development Authority, Sharjah Museums Department, Sharjah Millennium Hotel, Holiday International, Radisson Sas Resort, Embassy Suites, Sharjah Rotana Hotel and MH Group of Hotels.

H.E. Mr. Mohamed Ali Al Noman, Director General of the SCTDA, emphasized the importance of this tourist promotional tour, indicating that it comes in time of a rejuvenated tourism sector in the emirate of Sharjah following the recent launch of new Brand Sharjah.

The promotional tour across the GCC countries will include workshops to introduce the new identity of the emirate for the GCC tourism community.

The promotion will represent a significant opportunity to promote the new identity and its inclusive strategies and initiatives which will add a further momentum to the tourism industry in Sharjah and will boost its leading position on the regional and international tourism maps.

This tourist promotional tour features outstanding cooperation among concerned parties in tourism sector of Sharjah, as the promotional road show directly precedes the imminent launch of Sharjah Summer Promotion 2008, which will run from June 20th to August 3rd and include special discounts, prizes and offers to encourage shopping activity during the summer.

Al Noman added:

"The SCTDA is endeavoring to push the wheels of economic growth forward by intensifying marketing and promotional activities for the emirate. These campaigns focus on highlighting the emirate distinctive attractions as a unique tourist destination which blends the historical settings and cultural significance with all features of a modern city. Last year the emirate has added a number of shopping malls and hotel facilities with further additions to be announced this year, which will add momentum to the already solid tourism and commercial infrastructure in the emirate, and will certainly enrich both of these sectors".

Al Noman pointed out to the continuous growth in Sharjah's tourism sector. "The emirate last year received 1.5 million visitors, a significant increase from 600,000 visitors in 2001. The hotel occupancy rate is up to 82% in all the emirate's hotels and hotel apartments. Further, the total number of hotels in Sharjah has increased to 96 (33 hotels and 63 hotel apartments). The emirate has 7000 hotel rooms to accommodate tourist influx and cater to the requirements of the ongoing tourism growth", he said.

The GCC tourists accounted for 30% of the total tourist influx into the emirate, with 228.000 GCC tourists visited Sharjah in 2007, 10% up as compared to the 208.000 visitors in 2006.

These figures prove the vital importance of these tourism markets and justify the tremendous efforts exerted by the SCTDA on these markets and the host of tourist promotions and products offered by the authority for the GCC tourists.

Recent statistics issued by SCTDA showed that European tourists accounted for 33% of the total tourist influx into the emirate in 2007.

GCC tourists accounted for 30%, while 13% came from various other Arab countries. Asian tourists recorded 20%, while American, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, African and Pacific tourists made up the remaining 4%.

Al Noman concluded: "At a time when the Emirate of Sharjah is being recognized as a favored destination on the world tourism map, more initiatives to further boost this leading position take top priority on the SCTDA's schedule. To this end, the authority is actively involved in taking part in and organizing of prestigious events which have all gained global exposure. This Gulf promotional road show is another initiative that will create more opportunity for the emirate of Sharjah to showcase its tourist attractions. We are building on our success in the GCC promotional road show during the last 6 years".

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.

Sharjah's new identity highlights unique attractions of the emirate and will help boost the already established leading position of the emirate on the world tourism and business maps.