Sharm El Sheikh luring crowds direct from UAE

The tourist haven, situated on the southern tip of Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, has become increasingly popular in recent years drawing visitors from Europe, North America, and the Middle East.

Renowned for its world-class diving sites and spectacular beaches, the resort also known as the "City of Peace" is also now attracting even more golfers, trekkers and surfers for short breaks, especially from the Middle East region.

Helping to facilitate this growth is the increasing number of direct flights to the Sharm El Sheikh international airport such as Air Arabia's convenient weekend flights from Sharjah in the UAE.

"Sharm is an ideal destination for anyone looking for a fun and interesting break living in the UAE," said Kyle Haywood, commercial director for Air Arabia. "Sharm El Sheikh is a great place to go for people seeking lots of sun, relaxation, great nightlife and of course diving and water sports."

With its year-round temperate climate, Sharm El Sheikh is proving to not only provide guaranteed sunshine for its many European visitors, but is also appealing to Gulf residents looking to cool off during the summer months.

Many Dubai residents are drawn to the area by the choice of world class hotels and entertainment venues on offer in and around the town.

International clubs and bars such as the Buddha Bar and Ibiza's Pacha nightclub have operations in bustling Naama Bay, and first-rate resorts including the Hyatt Regency offer unmatched beauty and sophistication in the booming resort town.

Last year Egypt received a record-setting 8.6 million tourists and is experiencing growth of up to 15 percent from Middle Eastern markets this year. Visitor numbers from the UAE are up more than 20 percent from January to July of this year, with more than 11,000 travelling from the Emirates in July alone - a rise of 23 percent on the same period last year.