Over 170 thousand GCC tourists visited Sharjah in H1 2008

The current rise can be largely attributed to the visionary promotional policies adopted by Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, aimed at attracting more GCC tourists into the emirate during summer. The promotional campaign was culminated with a road show conducted by the authority throughout the GCC countries, last spring, to highlight the existing tourist attraction in the emirate. The campaign was received by strong and enthusiastic response from GCC tourists who extensively attended the promotional workshops organized by the SCTDA, and presentations on the emirate as a favourite destination for summer holiday.

Statistics issued by the authority for the first half of 2008 ended June 30th showed an increase in the number of GCC visitors to the emirate to exceed 170 thousand tourists, a 10% growth as compared to the figures reported for the corresponding period in 2007. This yields in a record hotel occupancy rate in Sharjah this summer.

H.E Mohammed A. Al Noman, Director General of SCTDA expected a further increase of 15% in the GCC tourist influx into the emirate during the remaining period of this summer, and the second half of the year, noting that Sharjah's tourism sector is witnessing a considerable growth during the current year, with very promising results of summer season since its beginning. He said that the good strategic planning set by the authority has been bearing fruits year on year.

Al Noman stresses on the importance of SCTDA's efforts aimed at encouraging the regional tourism, strengthening tourist ties among GCC countries and promoting Sharjah's unique attractions as a world class destination for heritage, cultural and family tourism:

"GCC countries are considered among the most important tourist exporting countries to Sharjah, with over quarter million GCC tourists visited the emirate last year. 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."

"SCTDA seeks to oil the wheels of economic growth by increasing the marketing and promotional activities for the emirate, with particular focus on its unique blend of past and present, archaeological treasures and modern development which make the emirate a world class destination of choice," The SCTDA's Director General added.

Sharjah is considered as one of the most prominent regional destinations for GCC tourists. SCTDA's statistics issued for 2007 showed that GCC tourists accounted for 30% of the total tourist influx into the emirate, a figure that highlights the significance of this vital market, and urges more efforts to be exerted in developing new tourism products and diversifying tourism offers to ensure a sustainable growth to Sharjah rapid growing tourism sector.

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 local, regional and global exposure. The overseas promotional tours, especially in the GCC countries, are among the vital initiatives that will create more opportunity for the emirate of Sharjah to showcase its tourist attractions and help the fast expanding sector go from strength to strength.