Tourism

Following the successful participation in a promotional tour to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan in the Commonwealth of Independent States, organised earlier this month by the National Council of Tourism and Antiquities, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) has announced another series of road shows to Russia, Armenia, Georgia and Kazakhstan from September 29 to October 2. During the tour, SCTDA will promote Sharjahs latest tourism developments under the Sharjah Tourism Vision 2021 that aims to attract 10 million tourists by 2021.

The delegation for the road show is headed by HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Director General of SCTDA, includes representatives from Air Arabia, Sharjah Airport travel agency (SATA), Copthorne Hotel Sharjah, Ramada Sharjah, Golden Tulip Hotel Apartments, and Khalidiya Travel & Tourism. A number of workshops and meetings will be organised with representatives and decision makers in the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors in the cities of Almaty, Moscow, Yerevan and Tbilisi.

Commenting on the participation, HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, said the promotional tours are part of the Authoritys strategy to shed light on the diversity of Sharjahs tourism product in order to strengthen its position as a leading global tourist destination. The road shows will help attract a large number of tourists to Sharjah from key markets around the world, apart from the emerging markets that contribute to the huge tourist inflow to the emirate every year.

HE Al Midfa noted that the tour comes as Sharjah is preparing for another season of remarkable cultural and recreational events and festivals, which have enabled the emirate to occupy a leading position on the global events map. The most notable of these events include the Sharjah International Book Fair in November, Sharjah Water Festival, F1 World Powerboat Championship, and Aquabike Championship in December, and Sharjah Light Festival in February, in addition to the launch of a number of the tourism and cultural projects. Several major tourism projects are under way in line with the Sharjah Tourism Vision 2021, HE Al Midfa added.

HE Al Midfa said the Commonwealth of Independent States constitutes the top market for Sharjah tourism. The Emirate of Sharjah is an attractive destination for tourists from these markets with its variety of museums, cultural centres and family facilities in addition to the advanced tourism infrastructure, upscale hotels and international restaurants. Besides, the picturesque beaches on the emirates eastern coast are popular for sports and leisure activities, HE Al Midfa explained.

The road shows begin with the first stop at Almaty in Kazakhstan, followed by the Russian capital Moscow. The tour then proceeds to Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, which will be a first time visit for the delegation from the emirate. The tour will conclude with a road show in the city of Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia.

SCTDA has planned a number of promotional tours throughout the year in major capitals and cities of the Gulf, Asian and European countries. The Authority concluded successful road shows in recent years covering, Europe, the CIS nations, India, and China aimed at discussing ways of cooperation and establishing global partnerships to enhance the emirates position in those markets as a major tourism destination.

SCTDA recently launched Sharjah Tourism Vision 2021 by focusing on four main pillars - Ideal Family Tourism Destination, Innovative Tourism Approach, World Class Tourism Facilities and Capabilities, and International Cultural Hub - to strengthen the status of the emirate as a leading destination for family tourism.

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