His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qassimi leads Sharjah delegation and meets with ambassador of the UAE to Germany on Day One

Sharjah receiving 35% of the total German tourists visiting the UAE with figures up 10% in 2006 and growing

Sharjah/Berlin - March 8, 2007; The Emirate of Sharjah has recorded a great success on the first day during its tenth participation at ITB in Berlin, an event occurring to the 11th of March. Here the emirate's stand hosted a large number of people concerned with the tourism industry from different countries. His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qassimi, chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), met with prominent managers of international and regional travel businesses, ambassadors and members of the press from both print and TV, representing Arab, German and European media.

This year, the participation of the emirate of Sharjah was all-inclusive and extensive, showcasing the diversity of the emirate. Headed by His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qassimi, chairman of and featuring the SCTDA, other participants include, Sharjah International Airport, Sharjah National Hotels (Hotel Holiday International, Marbella Resort, The Oceanic Hotel Khorfakkan),   Radisson SAS Resort,   Arabian Link Tours, Coral Beach Resort, Lou Lou'a Beach Resort, Sharjah Premiere Hotel, Resort Orient Tours, Qanat Al Qasba, Millennium Hotel & Embassy Suites Hotel and the Sharjah Museums Department. 

Among the many important meetings held during the first day, one of the most significant was between His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qassimi and the ambassador of the UAE to Germany, H.E. Mohammed Ahmed Al Mahmoud in the presence of H.E Mohamed Ali Al Noman, Director General of the SCTDA.  The meeting focused on how to further stimulate tourism activity between Sharjah and Germany plus emphasized the emirate's efforts in promoting international tourism and how to succeed in effectively placing Sharjah on the international tourism map, focusing on the its unique culture and heritage.  The emirate has in recent times been one of the most popular places for German tourists and has been viewed as one of the best places for cultural, heritage and social life, in addition to other attractive factors that make Sharjah a preferred destination on the world tourism map.

Commenting on this, His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qassimi said: "There is no doubt that Sharjah has become known to the German tourism industry and it is a favourite among German tourists whereby the emirate enjoys a good 35% of the total German tourists visiting the UAE.  According to the latest statistics, the number of German tourists has exceeded 50,000 in 2006, which is an increase of 10% from 2005".  

His Highness added: "With the emirate witnessing growth in all economic sectors it is foreseeable that tourism and hotel investments will be one of the best channels of investment in the future. It is conceivable that the great results that the emirate achieved in 2006 mainly came from the tourism sector, consequential of the great amount of investments occurring today in the Gulf". 

On that H.E Mohamed Ali Al Noman, expressed the importance of investing in the international tourism industry, and in the value of participating yearly in the ITB as a means of strengthening ties with Germany and to increase co-operation between the countries' tourism sector.

He added: "Tourism in the Emirate of Sharjah is witnessing a great increase, as we are experiencing a clear shortage in the number of hotel suites in the emirate. With the great efforts of SCTDA and its extensive participations this year, I expect we will see more tourists visiting the emirate".

The Emirate of Sharjah's involvement in ITB is considered it's largest amongst its other annual participations for this year, as SCTDA has provided a unique stand with the theme of heritage on an area of 176 square meters in the middle of the exhibition. They are also providing accurate information about the emirate through numerous leaflets in both English and German, distributed to the visitors, in addition to heritage activities such as Henaa painting and Arabic hospitality amongst other novelties, which so far, has attracted an immense number of visitors on the first day.

ITB Berlin is a prime meeting place and a major driving force behind the travel and tourism industry.  It is ideal for establishing contacts with suppliers and customers with 10,000 exhibitors from 180 regions, where more than 30% represents foreigners. 

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For further information, please contact:
Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Development Authority
Media Department
Tel: 00971 6 5566777
Fax: 00971 6 5563000
 
SAHARA Group
Public Relations Department
Tel: 00971 6 5737018
Fax: 00971 6 5737019

© Press Release 2007