The 2013 first quarter statistics put the hotel occupancy in the emirate at more than 80 per cent, compared to 78 per cent last year. The number of hotel guests in Sharjah in the first quarter stood at 503,985 mark, as compared to 466,218 in the same period last year, which is an 8 per cent increase.
DUBAI – Sharjah opened the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai on an upbeat note yesterday, putting up a grand show for sixteenth year at the exhibition that was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai bringing together more than 2,000 exhibitors from more than 100 countries.
Meanwhile on the sidelines of the exhibition at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority unveiled its first quarter tourism statistics for Year 2013, posting significant increase in the levels of growth in the tourism sector in the emirate during the current year in comparison to the growth percentages recorded in the same period last year.
The 2013 first quarter statistics put the hotel occupancy in the emirate at more than 80 per cent, compared to 78 per cent last year. The number of hotel guests in Sharjah in the first quarter stood at 503,985 mark, as compared to 466,218 in the same period last year, which is an 8 per cent increase. There was a significant rise in hotel room nights or overnight stays as well which touched 612,574 room nights, against 539,393 room nights in the same period last year, which is an increase of 14 per cent.
According to the first quarter statistics report released by the SCTDA, which is based on hotel occupancy in the emirate, European visitors have once again emerged as the largest bloc of tourists attracted by the emirate. The Europeans accounted for 38 per cent of the total number of tourists visiting the emirate, forming the largest tourism feeding market of the emirate. The tourists from the Arab Gulf or GCC states stood second at 34 per cent of the tourism market share.
The Asian tourists ranked third bagging 14 per cent of the share while the percentage of tourists from other Arab countries stood at 10 per cent. The visitors from the CIS nations, Americas, Africa and the Pacific countries contributed 4 per cent to the tourism market.
The number of hotel establishments in the emirate now stands at 101 (46 hotels and 55 hotel apartments) with a combined total of 9,093 rooms. More hotels and hotel apartments are set to join in the next stage to boost the hospitality sector and its capacity.
According to the SCTDA, a number of hotels and resorts are getting ready to take on the challenge of the increasing number of international visitors. Thanks to the encouraging investments made in the hospitality in recent years, the capacity of the emirate’s hospitality sector will jump to 12,000 rooms over the next three years.
Positive results
Welcoming the positive results during the first quarter, HE Mohamed Ali Al Noman, Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, said that that the statistics are a reflection of the positive development witnessed by the tourism sector in Sharjah and the path to excellence that the emirate has been pursuing winning itself a number of accolades and awards.
Al Noman said Sharjah’s unique approach to tourism with its world-class cultural and family festivals celebrating family values and its showcasing in international events and exhibitions has helped the emirate establish itself as a destination with a difference for international travellers and families.
Festivals like the Sharjah Light Festival and Sharjah Water Festival and various other world-class events have attracted thousands of tourists from across the world. It’s the diversity of Sharjah’s tourism experience that has put it amongst the world’s favourite tourist destinations, emphasised Al Noman.
He said these positive results and increasing number of international arrivals add to the challenges and responsibilities of all players and actors of the tourism industry to put in greater efforts and excel greater success and increased rates of growth in the tourism sector in coming years.
With a number of ambitious tourism projects being undertaken in the emirate, including Chedi Khorfakkan Luxury resort and spa which will include 212 luxury suites and the massive Kalba ecotourism project on the East Coast, exciting times lie ahead, emphasised the SCTDA Chairman.
Al Noman said the SCTDA is working in cooperation with all players to boost and upgrade the tourism industry infrastructure and facilities in the emirate according to international standards. Over the past several years, the Authority has been successfully showcasing Sharjah’s tourism sector in major international forums and trade exhibitions besides hosting road shows across Europe, Middle East and Asia.
The Sharjah delegation to the ATM, being held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, includes Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), Sharjah Airport Authority, Air Arabia, Sharjah Media Centre, Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), Sharjah Museums Department, Sharjah National Hotels, Hotel Radisson Blu, Al Bustan Group of Hotels, Al Hamrah Group of Hotels, Golden Tulip Sharjah, Hilton Hotel Sharjah, Al Khalidiah Tourism and Cozmo Travels.
While the SCTDA hosts the Sharjah Water Festival, Sharjah Grand Prix in December and Sharjah Light Festival in February, world-class events like Sharjah Heritage Days (April), Sharjah International Book Fair (November) and Sharjah Biennial besides special Ramadaniat and Eid festivals and spring and summer activities and promotions etc., dot a year-long busy calendar.
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She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
