Sharjah is promoting summer holiday packages

Headed by Mr. Mohamed A. Al Noman, Director of SCTDA, the Road Show is aiming at highlighting the latest developments in the Sharjah's tourism sector; encouraging more GCC tourism flow to Sharjah and promoting summer holiday packages and Sharjah Summer Promotions 2005.

The government of Sharjah in co-operation with major players in the Sharjah's tourism sector, is targeting, for the fourth time, the regional market in a tourism focused road show to highlight the emirate's appeal as a tourist destination and to stimulate regional in-bound tourism to the emirate.

In his comment on the road show Al Noman, states, "This activity expresses SCTDA's intention to continue communicating with the regional tourism sector and explain our strategy in targeting the local, regional and international tourism market aiming to attract more inbound tourism.

"With more than 60 hotels and hotel apartments and 60 travel agencies, the tourism sector of Sharjah, is expected to be more effective in attracting tourist to visit Sharjah.

"Last year we set the target on achieving a 15 per cent growth in our tourism sector. With more than 1,200,000, hotel guests, the result came astonishing, as we had 26% increase in number of hotel guests in 2004 as compared to 2003. This is very encouraging indication for us to continue our regional tourism development strategy.

"In co- operation with Air Arabia, Sharjah hotels and Sharjah Airport Travel Agency (SATA) we present a very competitive summer holiday packages. The packages include Air ticket on Air Arabia; two, three or four extendable hotel accommodation in the best hotels of Sharjah; visa regulation and airport transportation; and upon request city tours. Covering all Air Arabia GCC destinations, the package is available in the markets for the summer time in very competitive prices.

"The emirate of Sharjah, which is the only one in the UAE to have land on both the Arabian Gulf and Indian Ocean coastlines, has always positioned itself as a cultural heritage tourist destination, with a portfolio of leisure pursuits designed for the whole family." Al Noman adds.

For many tourists, the emirate represents an ideal getaway, combining beach, shopping and culture - all in a family-friendly environment.

"We have so many facilities to offer, from the 24 state-of-the-art museums, right through to the Formula 1 Powerboat, as well as cricket, water sports and nature reserves. And don't forget the popular pastime of shopping - we have recently seen a boom in shopping malls, with plenty of international designer names available under each roof, as well as the traditional souqs.

"Sharjah is steadily building a name for itself as a sports destination, with cricket and power boating taking their place in the world calendar. Sharjah is now the leading one-day international cricket venue and has even staged Test matches. Meanwhile, the Sharjah Grand Prix, part of the Formula One Powerboat Championship, has been held in the city for the past four years, and draws huge crowds. The event is internationally covered over to 750 Million TV spectators worldwide.

"Those interested in leisure sports can visit Khor Fakkan on the east coast of the UAE, on the Indian Ocean, which is one of the world's leading dive sites, or explore the Hajar mountains.

"Thanks in part to the geographical spread of the emirate, from coast to coast, we play host to mountains, desert and ocean, as well as protected eco-reserves. It's no wonder then, that we have a unique product to offer visitors.

"But the government has been careful to tie economic and tourism development to the infrastructure to ensure that we can service the growing number of visitors - a figure that we feel sure will increase significantly this year.

"As GCC tourists represent 33% of our annual tourism flow, we believe this is a perfect time to showcase the offering of Sharjah to the world. We have everything from culture, to beaches, to sporting attractions - all in a family-friendly, culturally sensitive environment." he conclu