Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) is participating in the 14th edition of Moscow International Travel & Tourism Exhibition, MITT 2008, taking place in Moscow on March 19-22. The SCTDA is making bid for bigger slice of Russian tourist market through promoting the unique attractions of the emirate as an ideal destination for family tourism. Sharjah has attracted record numbers of Russian tourists during the last four years. Director General of the SCTDA Mohamed A. Al-Noman, headed the Sharjah delegation that included a number of senior representatives from the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, Sharjah International Airport Authority, Radisson SAS Resort, Sharjah Millennium Hotel, Embassy Suites, Al-Khalidiah Tourism, Hotel Holiday International, Golden Tulip Hotel, Tulip Inn Sharjah, Tropic International Tours and Arabian Link Holidays. The SCTDA's 9th participation one of the world's most significant tourism gatherings came following an in-depth study of the annual international tourism fairs and their potential for sustainable growth of Sharjah's tourism sector and moving the wheel of economic development forward. To date, their involvement at this exhibition and other similar gatherings has greatly benefited Sharjah and has contributed immensely to the growth of its tourism sector, attracting greater amounts of visitors and improving the economic sector of the emirate in general. Al-Noman said: “Reflecting our interest in Russian tourism market, our participation in the Moscow International Exhibition Travel and Tourism (MITT), during the last eight years, is a result of the success that the exhibition has garnered since 1994. The fair has been a platform for networking, exchanging views and conducting business among key players in the international tourism industry.” “Sharjah is considered as one of the most favorable destinations for Russian tourist due to its unique attractions for family tourism. Last year more than 240.000 Russian tourists visited the emirate, a 42 percent growth as compared to 170,000 Russian tourists recorded during 2006. The SCTDA's statistics demonstrated a substantial year-on-year growth in the number of Russian tourist visiting the emirate, growing from 90.000 tourists in 2004, to 120.000, 170.000 and 240.000 tourists in 2005, 2006 and 2007 respectively”, Al-Noman added. A large number of representatives from Russian travel and tourism agencies visited Sharjah's stand to discuss ways to increase cooperation with Sharjah as the emirate has already become an ideal destination for Russian tourists. The stand attracted different local and international media who were keen to cover the Sharjah's participation in the fair. __
