Sharjah to put spotlight on top local tourist attractions at World Travel Market 2019 in London

The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) has announced that it will join the
World Travel Market (WTM) in London, which will be held from 4 to 6 November, 2019, for the 17th
consecutive year as part of its intensified campaign to promote Sharjahs diverse and unique tourist
offerings on the world stage.

During the event, the SCTDA will show many places on the world map that make Sharjah one of the
regions favorite family destinations. In cooperation with its partners from the public and private
sectors, SCTDA will also promote tourism programs and initiatives designed to attract tourists to the
emirate, cultural and eco-tourism products, a wide range of sports, recreational and art activities, and
adventure packages. Providing an enhanced tourism experience.

Moreover, the Authority will highlight Sharjahs entertainment, cultural, and heritage programs and
activities organized by various organizations apart from exclusive tourist packages provided by major
tourist facilities, resorts, and hotels. The number of hotel facilities in Sharjah has increased significantly
over the past few years alongside the growing tourist arrivals to the emirate. The Emirates currently has
a total of 10,883 hotel rooms, offering world-class services that meet the expectations of hotel
companies in the Emirates. An additional 18 hotels and 16 hotel apartments are expected to be
completed in the next five years, with a total of 5,679 rooms added to the current number in the coming
years.

The event will also provide SCTDA with an international venue to promote Sharjahs most important
historical sites, museums, exhibitions, festivals, and technology-driven projects such as Smart Mirror,
Sharjah Boat, and the Virtual Reality experience.

Known for its rich heritage,, history and unique cultural diversity, Sharjah is an excellent tourist
destination, offering many tourist attractions, each with different characteristics and offerings. The
central region, for instance, is known for its stunning desert, offering adventure lovers with an
opportunity to enjoy its sand and towering dunes while riding on SUVs. The eastern region, on the other
hand, has beautiful terrains, amazing mountain adventures, historical sites, and museums. Moreover,
the Emirate hosts many popular events, festivals and exhibitions.

Chairman of SCTDA, H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, said WTM 2019 will allow us to raise awareness of
Sharjahs growing tourism sector. It will enable us at the Authority to help put Sharjah on the world
tourism map and entice more tourists worldwide, including travelers from the UK, Ireland, and other
parts of Europe - thus bringing us closer to our goal of attracting 10 million visitors by 2021. In 2018,
more than 578,000 European visitors traveled to Sharjah, an increase of 24 per cent from the previous
year, which reached 468.034, and we expect the number to increase further in the coming years,

The Authority will also draw attention to its recently launched apps designed to boost the emirates
hospitality and tourism industry. These include the AI Tour Guide Chatbot, Smart Hotel Licensing and
Classification, Smart Vehicle Permit System, and the Hotel Statistics System- Business Intelligence (HSS
BI) solution.

H.E. Al Midfa concluded: Our participation at the WTM is part of our response to the directive of H.H.
Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to
make Sharjah a global touristic destination. The local tourism sector, one of the vital economic sectors,
has witnessed steady growth and development. During the event, we will have an opportunity to see
the latest trends in the global tourism sector, showcase Sharjahs beauty and offerings such as events,
festivals, and exhibitions, meet and exchange experiences with decision-makers, and learn about the
latest practices in tourism, hospitality, and travel.
SCTDA recently launched the SHJ AI Guide to enhance the experience of both residents and visitors. The
unique easy-to-use app is designed to help visitors from around the world. The app acts as a
comprehensive and interactive tourist guide, provides all users with the latest information and details
about local destinations, leisure activities, restaurants, and hotel facilities. It is available in five languages
- Arabic, English, German, Chinese, and Russian. The SHJ AI Guide can be downloaded on Apple Store
and Google Play.

The SCTDA will head Sharjahs delegation that will comprise leading entities from the government and
private sectors. The government delegates are Sharjah International Airport Authority; Sharjah
Museums Authority; Environment and Protected Areas Authority; Shurooq; Sharjah Expo Centre; and
Sharjah Institute for Heritage. Participants from the private sector are Sharjah Airport Travel Agency
(SATA); Sheraton Sharjah Beach & Resort; Hilton Sharjah; Sharjah Collection; Trav Talk; Hotel Holiday
International; Cozmo Travel LLC and Golden Sands Sharjah.