Sharjah's stand attracts huge interest at ATM

H.E. Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Qassimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) received Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Department of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive and Chairman of The Emirates Group, who visited the Emirate's stand during the inauguration. He also received Mr. Paolo Dionisi, Ambassador of Italy to the UAE and Eugenio Magnani, Director General of Italian Tourism.

In addition to a number of VIPs, CEOs of leading travel and tourism agencies, heads of delegations, ambassadors and elite businessmen, as well as a group of media representatives, all of whom visited Sharjah's stand at ATM.

Senior members of Sharjah's delegation to ATM 2009 discussed with their industrial counterparts ways to cushion the impact of the global financial crisis through enhancing tourism ties with regional and international markets.

Sharjah remains one of the favourite destinations for regional and international tourists, who consider the emirate a symbol of heritage, historical and culture tourism, in addition to the other attractions that have helped boost the emirate's leading position on the world tourism map.

As in 2008, Brand Sharjah has once again stolen the show, showcasing a unique diversity of the core elements and components of Sharjah's new identity. Striving for excellence in functional and aesthetic appearance, the emirate of Sharjah is exhibiting via a unique stand with designs highlighting all the elements and components of Brand Sharjah. The 495 meter stand is displaying the cultural, heritage and tourist attractions, as well as educational, entertainment and business facilities. The SCTDA is keen to provide visitors with informative material about the emirate, available in both Arabic and English, particularly the "Explore Sharjah" and "Sharjah my Destination" publications, to familiarize the visitors with the unique attractions of the emirate.

In its 12th participation in the ATM The Sharjah delegation was headed by SCTDA Chairman Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi, and included senior representatives from the 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.

Sharjah's participation in the 2009 edition of the premier show is the largest in the history of the emirate's appearance at ATM, reflecting the increasing interest the SCTDA shows in the event, and its keenness to continuously taking part in its activities on annual basis.

As Sharjah is increasingly becoming a world class destination of choice for tourists from all over the world, the SCTDA has made it a priority to boost the already leading position of the emirate on the world tourism map.

To achieve this goal, the Authority is actively involved in organizing and participating in local, regional and international conferences and exhibitions, with the ambition of introducing the emirate of Sharjah as a premier tourist destination in the region through highlighting its unique tourist attractions. It is as part of these efforts that the emirate of Sharjah has proven a strong presence at the ATM for the 12th years in a row.