In a new promotional campaign primarily focused on showcasing its core tourist attraction, the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) will participate in Cultour Travel Exhibition, set to be organized in Cologne on June 12-15. SCTDA aims to introduce the cultural identity of the Cultural Capital of the Arab world to the European travel and tourism markets, in general, and particularly the German ones in a time of increased German tourist influx into the emirate, estimated at over 70,000 German visitors to Sharjah in 2008. Mohamed Ali Al-Noman, director general of SCTDA, will lead Sharjah's delegation to the four days global travel trade exhibition. Sharjah Museums Authority will exhibit via the SCTDA's stand and will play a major role in showcasing the emirate's cultural, historic and heritage treasures during the first of its kind exhibition. Sharjah unique museums are among the most significant contributory factors in augmenting the emirate's leading position as a region's world-class tourist destination. Speaking about the emirate of Sharjah's first participation in Cultour Travel Exhibition, Al-Noman said: “This participation is part of our ambitious promotional strategy that seeks to highlight the emirate's prominent attractions in the international travel and tourism community. What makes this participation different is the focus on promoting our high profile cultural and heritage product for the cultural travel niche market in an international venue.” Sharjah's tourism sector goes from strength to strength thanks to the emirate's unique cultural identity,” he added. “The concept of cultural tourism is not limited to historic treasures, but it includes producing and promoting various cultural travel related programs and activities. These niche tourist products should be marketed and promoted through participation in dedicated exhibitions such as Cultour Travel Exhibition in Cologne, with the aim to increase the tourist influx into the emirate,” he added. Meanwhile, Tameer Holding UAE, the region's leading real estate developer sponsored the 4th Architectural Conference: High Rise Building that was held under the patronage of Prime Minister Nader Al-Dahabi, with the attendance of Princess Sumaia Bint Al-Hassan. The conference was organized by the Jordanian Engineering Association in collaboration with Greater Amman Municipality and Mawared, the real estate developer. __
