Sharjah To Be Showcased At High-Profile Tourism Exhibition, ITB Berlin, For 16th Year In A Row

More than 85,000 German tourists visited the emirate in 2012, says Noman

The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority is set to showcase Sharjah for the 16th year in a row at the high profile tourism exhibition, ITB Berlin, being held from March 6-10. The emirate registered impressive success at the premiere international travel and tourism exhibition in the German capital last year by earning itself the Best Middle East Exhibitor Award and attracting thousands of German tourists in Year 2012.

The SCTDA Chairman HE Mohamed Ali Al Noman once again heads a formidable delegation representing various Sharjah government bodies and leading public and private sector players of the tourism and hospitality industry including the Sharjah Airport Authority, Shurooq (Sharjah Investment and Development Authority), Air Arabia, Sharjah Healthcare City, Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) Sharjah Museums Department, Sharjah National Hotels, Radisson Blu, Orient Tours, FM Holidays and Arabian Link Tours..

Underlining the significance of Sharjah’s presence at the ITB Berlin, SCTDA Chairman HE Mohamed Ali Al Noman said that the exhibition figures high on the SCTDA’s 2013 calendar of most important events and international exhibitions. The participation is part of the SCTDA’s strategy to enhance Sharjah’s global tourism profile by showcasing the emirate and its major tourism projects and developments at major international travel, tourism and hospitality events and exhibitions and enhance.

The Authority is looking forward to the prominent event in the German capital which offers a great opportunity to interact with key tourism players and decision makers from around the world and discuss strategies, study new trends and exchange ideas and experiences with other participants, he said. It also helps evolve future plans and reach deals with international tourism layers and operators contributing to an increase in the number of German and Europeans tourists to the emirate, he added.

Al Noman said that Germany tops Sharjah’s strategic tourism feeding markets and its growth in recent years in terms of visitors to the emirate has been most promising. Talking about the number of German visitors to the emirate, he said that more than 85,000 German tourists had visited Sharjah during Year 2012. He said that the Authority was keen to boost these numbers further and attract more German visitors and investors by stepping up Sharjah’s presence in international exhibitions and events like ITB in Germany and across Europe.

Sharjah will be showcased at ITB Berlin once again at a distinct, 403-sqm pavilion celebrating the best of Sharjah, including its heritage, iconic tourist attractions and celebrated cultural events, festivals besides profiling the UAE’s traditions, folklore, cuisine and arts such as henna painting and Ibero (drawing on the water). The Sharjah pavilion will also provide the visitors with literature and promotional leaflets and brochures in English and German about Sharjah and all that it has to offer.

Pointing out that Sharjah has a proud history of success and earning itself numerous accolades and awards at the ITB with its unique blend of tradition and modernity, the SCTDA Chairman said that this imposes greater responsibility on the Authority and the emirate to excel year after year.

Al Noman said that this year the Authority is looking forward to presenting Sharjah’s tourism market and product in a new light highlighting its distinct features, especially beach tourism and ecotourism or environment tourism, which is something that attracts the German tourists, not to mention the emirate’s numerous museums and scientific and cultural centres and cultural attractions.

It is worth mentioning that ITB Berlin, which is in its 47th year, last year attracted more than 11,000 exhibitors and 113,000 trade visitors and experts and media from around 180 countries, not to mention members of general public.

Emirate:  Sharjah

Date: Feb 28, 2013

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