Sharjah: Sharjah's tourism industry closely tracked the growth experienced by Dubai, receiving more than 1.55 million visitors last year.
This is an 8 per cent increase over the previous year, and was helped significantly by arrivals from Europe — 42 per cent of the total — and Asia, whose visitors made up 17 per cent.
The emirate also continued to be a strong magnet for GCC visitors, who comprised 24 per cent of the arrivals. Tourists from other Arab nations contributed 12 per cent, according to figures released by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority.
Sharjah's hotels reaped the dividends with occupancy rates rising to 73 per cent during the year, an 8 per cent gain over 2009's tally.
The emirate has achieved steady growth in recent years, with the number of hotel guests rising 3.4 per cent between 2008 and 2009 and those in the hotel apartments up by 11.9 per cent.
New capacity
Guests also stayed longer, with the total number of room nights in the hotels and hotel apartments up 5 per cent between 2009 and 2010. These gains were achieved despite the building of new capacity. Sharjah now has 45 hotels and 62 hotel apartments.
Recent events such as the Sharjah Lights Festival which took place early this year have helped place the emirate firmly on the tourist map.
The festival area covered the Central Souq, the Heritage and Arts Area, the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation, Al Maghfira Mosque, Al Hisn Fort, Cultural Palace Square and the government buildings at Al Layyeh Area as the main tourist attractions.
"Its distinct blend of tradition and modernity gives Sharjah its unique charm and has helped it emerge as the capital of Arab and Islamic culture," said Shaikh Sultan Bin Ahmad Al Qasimi, chairman of the tourism authority.
Amid the global financial economic crisis and its impact on the region, the authority kept participating in international events such as the F1 Powerboat World Championship 2010 and the Sharjah Water Festival.
Mandatory programme
"The SCTDA made strong appearances at a number of international platforms last year, including its biggest and most prestigious participation in the International Tourism Bourse Berlin where it was crowned the Best Arab World Exhibitor," said Mohammad Al No'man, director-general. "Besides, we have regularly taken part in the World Travel Market, London and Arabian Travel Market, Dubai.
"We are looking forward to future events hoping for more successes and growth of the emirate."
In collaboration with Skyline University, the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority recently introduced a tourist guide training programme that is open to all companies engaged in tourism services. Licences and training gained from the programme will ensure tourism regulations are followed, while the government agency aims to make the programme mandatory at a later date.
The first graduates came from travel management operators such as Arabian Adventures, Orient Tours and the Sharjah National Travel and Tourism Agency.
