Sharjah welcomes over one million hotel guests
Sharjah: Sharjah’s tourism sector has shown remarkable growth in the first eight months of 2024, with hotel guest numbers rising by 3.07% to reach 1.057 million, compared to 1.025 million during the same period last year.Hotel occupancy rates remained stable at 66%.
These statistics were revealed during the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority's (SCTDA) annual ‘Connected Meeting’ held on September 27 at the Sharjah Research, Technology, and Innovation Park.
Russia leads the source market
The performance report highlighted Russia as the top source market for Sharjah, representing 21% of the market share with approximately 160,000 hotel guests. Following Russia, the UAE accounts for 11%, India for 10%, and Oman for 6%.
Commitment to enhancing tourism services
During the meeting, SCTDA showcased advancements in Sharjah’s tourism sector and its ongoing efforts to improve the quality of tourism services. This includes the introduction of new tourist destinations and enhancements in marine transport services.
SCTDA aims to bolster strategic partnerships locally and internationally through collaborative marketing campaigns targeting emerging markets, the use of AI solutions, and advanced digital platforms to expand audience reach.
Celebrating World Tourism Day with a focus on sustainability
The announcement aligns with World Tourism Day, providing an opportunity to highlight the tourism sector's vital role in driving economic, social, cultural, and environmental development. SCTDA reaffirmed its commitment to promoting sustainable practices and enhancing Sharjah’s status as a preferred tourism destination.
Ambitious plans for sector development
In his keynote address, H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA, emphasised the importance of public-private partnerships in achieving Sharjah's sustainable development goals.
He stated, “Sharjah has ambitious plans to further enhance the tourism sector, which already contributes over 11% to the UAE’s non-oil GDP.”
Key initiatives include significant infrastructure investments and the expansion of Sharjah International Airport, as well as the organisation of year-round tourism events and activities.
Business continuity management for resilience
The SCTDA also discussed its "Business Continuity Management System," aimed at ensuring uninterrupted service delivery even during emergencies.
This system, aligned with national standards, includes incident management plans, precautionary measures for safeguarding resources, and effective communication mechanisms with relevant partners.