This is according to the data from the Sharjah Tourism and Hospitality Sector Performance Indicator for the Planning and Development Department; hotel guests in Sharjah during the first eight months of 2024 reached 1, 057, 307 up by a 3.07% when compared to the 1, 025,317 hotel guests in 2023. Hotel occupancy reached an average 66%: Dubai Tourist Destination Remains a Favorite.
These figures were disclosed at the ‘Connected Meeting,’ by Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), that took place on September 26, 2024, at Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park. Delegates of the industry from the public and private sector attended and the event was chaired by Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA.
Russia became the largest source market for Thailand representing 21% of visitors to the country while India accounted for 10% and Oman 6%. The overall participation of the UA Emirates in the guest distribution also featured a significant role attributed to domestic tourism and accounted for 11 percent of the figure as well.
The meeting also revealed improvements undertaken in tourism in Sharjah within the last few years such as the development in the marine transport and other new tourist attraction areas. SCTDA mapped out potential future visions and strategies that include global collaborations, niche AI-integrated marketing and advertising, as well as utilization of sophisticated and complex multi-platform targeting systems. Talks with shopping centers and the outlets were also made regarding cooperation so as to promote sustainable growth of the sector.
Speaking during World Tourism Day celebrations, Al Midfa called on stakeholders to increase partnerships as a way of enhancing Sharjah’s tourism master plan to improve the contribution of the sector in the UAE’s non-oil GDP. More development include extensive infrastructural development such as the development of Sharjah International Airport among, and the introduction of year round events.
SCTDA also introduced its Business Continuity Management System that will seek to provide the emirate with uninterrupted service delivery in the event of a crisis, thus cementing Sharjah’s position as a premier global tourism destination.
