Sharjah announces participation in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition 2009

The event is expected to feature over 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 Al Qassimi, and will include senior representatives from SCTDA, Sharjah International Airport Authority, Sharjah Museums Department, Al Qasba, Radisson Sas Resort, Sharjah Millennium Hotel, Sharjah National Hotels (Holiday International, Marbella Resort & Oceanic Hotel & Resort), MH Group (Sharjah Carlton Hotel, Beach Hotel Sharjah, Nova Park Hotel, Golden Beach Motel), Al Khalidiah Tourism, Al Bustan Beach Hotel, Samaya Hotel Apartments and SAHARA Group.

SCTDA consistently strives to present a strong presence at leading international travel and tourism events, and its appearance in this year's ATM follows the resounding success achieved by the authority last year, where Sharjah's stand was a center of attention for leading international travel and tourism players.

SCTDA's unique 495-metre stand will display the emirate of Sharjah's cultural, heritage and tourist attractions, as well as its educational, entertainment and business facilities, and information about the emirate will be available to visitors in both Arabic and English.

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi stressed the importance of this participation in the region's largest trade and consumer travel show, saying:

"ATM 2009 will see a substantial increase in the number of exhibitors, tourist destinations and products, and will represent an important platform for us, providing us with a unique opportunity to showcase the emirate's host of distinctive tourism products, and to promote Sharjah as a world-class tourist destination."

"The great challenges faced by the tourism sector due to the global economic crisis call for coordinated efforts and the utilisation of all capabilities to reach our targets. All the parties involved in the promotion of Sharjah as a unique tourist destination are working together as one team to achieve this purpose, and new markets have already been opened up through the expansion of our participation in international exhibitions," he added.

Al Qassimi unveiled the SCTDA's strategy for the coming period, saying, "We have decided to continue participating in the ATM exhibition due to its importance in the regional tourism market, and to confirm Sharjah's status as a unique tourism destination in the region. We have devised new promotional strategies and plans to promote Sharjah's tourism product in the regional tourism market, focusing on GCC countries and the Middle East, in addition to other destinations served by Air Arabia - Sharjah's National Carrier."

Speaking of the importance of Sharjah's participation in different international events, Al Qassimi said, "Our participation in international events has resulted in the growth of the travel and tourism sector in Sharjah, and a considerable increase in the number of tourists visiting the emirate annually. Sharjah is recognised as a world-class destination, and the SCTDA is working hard to enhance this position at a local and international level."

Te SCTDA, in its capacity as the organizer of the Sharjah delegation to ATM 2009, held a meeting for members of the delegation to review the details of the preparation program for the emirate's 12th participation in the Middle East's leading travel and tourism event. The Authority has provided all the means to make the participation of the emirate's largest ever delegation to the ATM a tremendous success in all respects.