Sharjah Stand wins "Best Presentation of a Destination"

Wrapping it's participation at Moscow international tourism fair

SHARJAH, March 23, 2014

Sharjah has wrapped up its remarkably successful participation in the MITT (Moscow International Tourism Business Summit) for the 15^th year, with Sharjah Stand winning the award "Best Presentation of a Destination". Held in the Russian capital from March 18 to 22, the Emirate's stand attracted a wide array of international tourism industry players and decision makers and representatives of major tourism destinations and international media coverage.

The striking Sharjah stand at the exhibition in the Russian capital showcased the best of Sharjah's multifaceted tourism and cultural experience and numerous attractions constantly inviting visitors' attention.  The Heritage Corner celebrated the Arab and Emirati heritage of the Emirate besides a number of activities for the visitors. 

One of the major attractions was the focus on the Sharjah Capital of Islamic Culture 2014 celebrations. A special wing was reserved for meetings and interactions with dignitaries and leaders of the industry.  Promotional material and brochures in Russian and English about Sharjah's tourist attractions, culture, heritage and other offerings are available for the visitors. 

On the sidelines of the exhibition, members of the Sharjah delegation to Moscow held a number of fruitful meetings and talks with a number of stakeholders, investors and key players of international tourism industry. Among the dignitaries who were received by HE Mohamed Ali Al Noman, Chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority included HE Igor G. Kozlov, Head, Department of Tourism, Moscow City Government.

The two sides discussed the latest developments and challenges in the tourism sector around the world and ways of boosting tourism cooperation and exchange between the two destinations.

MITT Moscow is one of the key exhibitions on the SCTDA's agenda because of the strategic Russian and CIS market which attracts major players and stakeholders of the industry and has successively contributed to increasing the number of Russian visitors to the Emirate, whose number exceeded the 459,000 during Year 2013. The exhibition helps reinforce the status of the Emirate in this critical market as a favourite international destination with all the natural ingredients and a variety of all-round cultural and leisure activities.

The Sharjah delegation to Moscow included heads and representatives of various government departments and agencies and private players including Sharjah Airport Authority, Shurooq (Sharjah Investment and Development Authority), Air Arabia, Al Hasawi Group Of Hotels, Radisson Blu, Hilton Sharjah, Oceanic Resort and Spa Khorfakkan, Al Khalidiah Tourism, 72 Hotels, Al Ghazal Tours and Copthorne Hotel.

It is worth mentioning that the Moscow International Travel and Tourism fair, in its 21^st year, attracted an array of travel and tourism players, tourism destinations, hotels and resorts and service industry. The exhibition attracted more than 1,800 exhibitors from 198 destinations from around the world and 40,000 visitors besides extensive media coverage from the European and international media. 

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About Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority
Established in 1996 by the Government of Sharjah, the SCTDA has been in the forefront of promoting and taking Sharjah to the world with its relentless efforts and unmatched enthusiasm. The Authority constantly explores possibilities and avenues of promoting and developing tourism and commercial sectors in the emirate through special events, activities and festivals at home and around the world. It pursues its goals by planning and drawing up strategic plans to promote and develop tourism sector in all its forms.  It conducts social and economic research and studies as well to evolve its strategies and pursue its goals.  And as part of its strategy to promote Sharjah, SCTDA participates in local, regional and international exhibitions, focusing on the factors of distinction and exclusivity.

The SCTDA works to raise public awareness locally, regionally and internationally about the unique features and strengths of Sharjah's tourism product and leisure and investment destination. As a result, Sharjah has emerged as a favourite holiday destination for visitors from around the world, especially those from Europe and neighbouring Gulf countries.

Sharjah has come to be recognised as the home of Arab and Islamic culture and civilisation, it was declared the Cultural Capital of the Arab world in 1998 by Unesco. Recently, the Arab tourism ministers' summit in Cairo selected Sharjah as the Capital of Arab Tourism for Year 2015.

© Press Release 2014