Sharjah looks at greater public-private sector cooperation
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Sharjah is gearing up well as a tourism destination with a slew of new hospitality and tourism projects. These luxury hotels, beach resorts and business tourism facilities will attract the right international visitors, said HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, director general, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority.
Al Midfa spelled out his vision at the ‘Sharjah Tourism Hospitality Statistics Results and Enhancement of Sharjah Hotel Establishments’ Classification System’.
The director general also announced that the SCTDA is set to introduce a new classification system for hotel establishments in accordance with international standards. It is aimed at embracing healthy and modern tourism practices besides simplifying procedures.
“New rules will follow clearly defined goals, ensure transparency and competition in the tourism market. All this will help add value to Sharjah’s tourism product,” he added.
Al Midfa pointed out the tourism sector in the Emirate has witnessed consistent growth. “Last year, the Emirate received more than 1.9 million international tourists. In the first half of this year, Sharjah welcomed more than 1,099,877 tourists, which is a 15% jump over the same period last year when 955,355 tourists visited the Emirate.”
The European visitors were at the top at 37%, closely followed by GCC tourists at 34%. Visitors from Asia contributed 13% to Sharjah’s tourism market while visitors from other Arab states constituted 12%. Two per cent of Sharjah’s international tourists in the first half came from America with Africa and Asia Pacific contributing one percent each.
The average occupancy rate in the Emirate’s hotel establishments in the H1 was a healthy 74% while the average occupancy rate in the same period last year stood at 70%. Sharjah’s hotels received 696,058 guests or 63% of visitor numbers while hotel apartments received 403,819 guests or 37% share. The total hotel establishment guest nights in the first half stands at 1,817,416 as against 1,753,866 during the same period last year.
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