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Sharjah on radar of leading hospitality players

SHARJAH -- Sharjah has been a focal point of attraction that always welcomes the international hotels and tour operators' to become real partners of the emirate's booming tourism sector, a top official said on Wednesday.

Shaikh Sultan bin Ahmad Al Qassimi, Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority ( SCTDA ), accompanied by Mohamed A. Al Noman, SCTDA Director-General, inaugurated the Ramada Sharjah and said it is a welcome addition to the emirate's hospitality industry.

"Sharjah is already on the radar of leading players in the global hospitality sector as both inter-city and in-bound leisure and business travel and tourism are set for sizable growth in line with the increased economic activity we're seeing in the emirate. The opening of Ramada Sharjah underscores this growth and is a welcome addition to Sharjah's buoyant tourism sector," Shaikh Sultan said.

Representatives from hotel operator CHI Hotels & Resorts (CHI), A.A. Al Moosa Enterprises LLC , also known as the Arenco Group , the owner and senior officials were also present at the opening of the first branded hotel and suites premises in the emirate.

Tony Potter, CHI Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, said his group is in talk to launch more projects in the UAE.

"We are going to launch another branch of Ramada under the same management at Jumeirah Beach Residence in Dubai this November," he said adding that recovery in world tourism sector will boost the hospitality industry in the UAE.

He said his group is trying to negotiate some projects in the region including Syria. "The Middle East in general and the UAE in particular has strong potential to attract tourists across the globe as they have plenty of things to offer them," Potter told Khaleej Times.

Expressing his strong faith in Sharjah hospitality sector growth, Potter said the emirate has a potential to attract tourist from the region due to its close proximity of Dubai and easy access to the airports.

"We will draw on our vast management expertise to ensure that this new property in Sharjah will become yet another pearl in the string of international successes garnered by CHI over the years. It should also serve as a catalyst for the company's further expansion in the region," he said.

Ramada Sharjah is located on Al Nahda street, just opposite to Sahara Centre. The 250-suite hotel -- 50 one-bedroom and 200 two-bedroom -- is designed with the discerning traveller in mind, with state-of-the-art facilities. The hotel's central location and easy connectivity to major roads and highways, puts all of Dubai and Sharjah's main attractions and major leisure nerve centres - Sahara Centre, Sharjah Lagoon and Corniche, Deira City Centre and Dubai International Airport within easy reach.

"With a healthy overall occupancy rate close to 70 per cent, the outlook in Sharjah is extremely positive. The Ramada Sharjah has been designed to bring to Sharjah our renowned 'Craftsmanship of Care' service, perfected over the last 48 years and we are certain that we will become the hospitality venue of choice for both residents and tourists alike," said Tamas Fazekas, General Manager of the new hotel.

© Khaleej Times 2011