SCTDA expects 10% increase in number of Chinese tourists this year

The participation was as part of keeping with its ongoing agenda to promote the Emirate of Sharjah in the international tourism market.

The event, to be held in Beijing Exhibition Center from 19th to 22nd June 2007, will attract over 800 exhibitors representing 80 countries, in an area of 30 thousand square feet.

In addition to representatives of the Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Development Authority, the Sharjah delegation will include representatives from Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts, Coral Beach Resort, Al Khalidiah tourism, Golden Tulip Sharjah, Tulip Inn Sharjah, Millennium Hotel, Sharjah Holiday Inn.

The objectives of SCTDA's presence at this travel and tourism event are to sustain the development of tourism in Sharjah by enhancing its position in the international tourism market and diversifying the sources of tourists and to benefit from the huge potential of the Chinese market which exports more than 20 million tourist a year, a number which is forecasted to reach 100 million by 2020.

Mr. Yasser Mohammed Zamzam manager tourism sector and events,SCTDA, emphasized the importance of participation in this exhibition, saying, "Commercial and tourism marketing should keep up with the requirements of the rapidly growing tourism sector.

Sharjah's tourism sector has made great strides recently. Marked improvements in the emirate's infrastructure and other service sectors have opened the door for investments in the hotel, tourism and commercial sectors. There is no doubt that our participation in this exhibition will unlock new markets that will fulfill the requirements of those sectors".

He went on to say: "Last year Sharjah attracted more than 10 thousand tourists from China. In this our second year at this exhibition, we are extremely optimistic about the openness of China's tourism and commercial markets and the opportunity this presents to attract even more Chinese tourists to Sharjah in a way that will realize the ambitious goals we have set for the next five years".

Mr. Zamzam expected 10 percent growth in tourist influx from the Chinese market during this year, saying that the SCTDA's participations at major international exhibitions are playing a significant role in increasing the tourist influx into the emirate, thanks to the authority efforts in highlighting the tourist attraction in the emirate to international markets.

As part of their outstanding efforts, in terms of both content and form, to make a distinguished presence in Beijing, SCTDA will exhibit from an eye-catching. SCTDA will also provide information and news about the emirate, by distributing several publications in English and Chinese to visitors at their stand.

Beijing International Tourism Expo is considered one of the most important travel and tourism fairs in China and is expected to attract 20 thousand visitors in its third session.

Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority has recenlty concluded a successful participation at Cultour Travel Exhibition 2008, one of the world's premier cultural and tourist exhibitions, which was held in Cologne from 12th to 15th June 2008, where the SCTDA had the opportunity to highlight the emirate's prominent attractions for the international travel and tourism community, as a part of a new promotional campaign primarily focused on showcasing its core tourist attraction.