Sharjah's participation in the recent World Travel Market (WTM) exhibition held in London has attracted a lot of attention among Arabic and international media, as well as exhibition visitors, including tourism and travel experts from all over the world. Coverage in the British media focused on the activities at the Sharjah stand, and shed light on the emirate's tourism attractions, particularly its distinct culture and heritage, which are particularly important to European tourists in general, and British tourists in particular. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi, chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), said “Sharjah will continue to establish tourism-oriented projects and developments to attract tourists and investors, despite the global financial crisis. The first of these projects will be announced in Q1 2010.” Al Qassimi noted that the tourism sector is one of Sharjah's most active sectors, attracting the attention of numerous international organizations and institutions due to its diversity and depth. In addition, Sharjah's historical attractions, moderate climate and beautiful natural environment continue to attract tourists and investors, and hotel occupancy in the emirate during Q3 2009 reached 75 percent, which is approximately the same as that attained last year. Al Qassimi further said Sharjah's tourism sector is expected to bounce back after a period of decline arising due to the global financial crisis in mid-2008, and continue to grow rapidly. “The tourism sector in Sharjah experienced four percent growth in Q3 2009 compared to Q1 of the same year. This increase in growth will help the emirate achieve great returns that will contribute to a further increase in growth rates and make up for the losses resulting from the global depression,” he said. He added “Sharjah will continue to establish tourism-oriented projects and developments to attract tourists and investors, despite the global financial crisis. The first of these projects will be announced in Q1 2010.” Al Qassimi noted that the tourism sector is one of Sharjah's most active sectors, attracting the attention of numerous international organizations and institutions due to its diversity and depth. In addition, Sharjah's historical attractions, moderate climate and beautiful natural environment continue to attract tourists and investors, and hotel occupancy in the emirate during Q3 2009 reached 75 percent, which is approximately the same as that attained last year. Al Qassimi stressed that “the success we have achieved today in this world-class event motivates us to work even harder for the sustainable growth of Sharjah's tourism sector, which is one of the main contributors to the emirate's gross domestic product.”
