Sharjah is highlighted in BITTM 2005

Hosted by H.E Mohamed A. Al Noman, the conference was mainly focused on Sharjah's main tourist attractions and SCTDA's marketing plans to attract the Chinese tourism market.

Attracting the interest of huge crowd of media and Travel representatives, the conference was mainly focused on what Sharjah has to offer for the Chinese tourism market.

Al Noman highlighted, in his speech during the conference, the main reasons for Sharjah to be part of this international event.

"Based on a thorough study of the Chinese tourism market, SCTDA has taken this initiative aiming at meeting the instant and long-term demands of the tourism sector of Sharjah." says Mr. Al Noman, in his comment on the participation.

"Marketing destination process has to go side by side with infra structure development. More efforts have to be made, when we have a fast growing tourism sector - as Sharjah's.

As the sector is open for huge potential investments, the upcoming five years will set the base for a new era in the tourism industry of Sharjah. We have to be ready and well - prepared." he adds

"Travel and tourism is a relatively young industry for China, it gives us a pioneering opportunity to attract the fifth largest and most important travel and tourism market world wild. The registered growth in the outbound account of China is the most impressive and dynamic one. Growth of 140% in the period of 1997 - 2001. 12.3 million departures in 2001 and 16 million in 2002.The outbound expenditure of China in 2001 was registered at a record breaking 10 billion $US. Market predicted to grow to 100 million departures in 2020." he concludes.

Headed by Mr. Mohamed A. Al Noman, director of SCTDA, the Emirate of Sharjah delegation to the exhibition included senior representatives from SCTDA, Sharjah Airport Travel Agency (SATA), Sharjah National Hotels, Radisson Sas Resort, Millennium Hotel, Coral Beach Resort, Embassy Suites, Lou Lou'a Beach Resort and Arabian link Tours