Business | Tourism
European and Gulf visitors boost Sharjah tourism
More than 1.45 million tourists stayed in Sharjah's hotels and hotel apartments last year, up 11 per cent compared to 1.31 million in 2006, according to the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority.
- Staff Report
- Published: 22:35 February 4, 2008
- The total number of hotel and hotel apartment rooms rose to 6,959 in 2007, up 14 per cent from 6,080 rooms in 2006.
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Dubai: More than 1.45 million tourists stayed in Sharjah's hotels and hotel apartments last year, up 11 per cent compared to 1.31 million in 2006, according to the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) - the emirate's tourism regulatory agency.
"The tourism sector continued its substantial growth in 2007," a SCTDA statement said.
"Sharjah's hotels accommodated 722,948 guests in 2007, against 693,528 guests in 2006, while hotel apartments received 733,110 guests in 2007, up from 622,217 guests in 2006."
The overall occupancy rate in hotels and hotel apartments was 80 per cent in 2007, a five per cent increase over 2006.
The overall occupancy in hotels was 85 per cent in 2007, compared to 82 per cent in 2006.
In hotel apartments it was 73 per cent last year, up from 67 per cent in 2006.
Furthermore, the total number of hotels and hotel apartments in Sharjah increased by 30 per cent from 74 in 2006 (24 hotels and 50 hotel apartments), to 96 in 2007 (33 hotels and 63 hotel apartments).
Hotel rooms
Accordingly, the number of hotel rooms increased to 3,721 in 2007 from 3,237 in 2006, and the number of hotel apartment rooms increased to 3,238 in 2007 from 2,843 in 2006.
The total number of hotel and hotel apartment rooms rose to 6,959 in 2007, up 14 per cent from 6,080 rooms in 2006.
Figures also show that the total number of occupied room nights rose to 1,498,197 in 2007, with hotels accounting for 847,556 and hotel apartments making up the remaining 650,641.
This was an 11 per cent increase from the 1,355,266 occupied room nights in 2006, of which 813,065 were for hotels and 542,201 in hotel apartments.
Other statistics issued by SCTDA showed that European tourists accounted for 33 per cent of the tourist influx in 2007.
Tourists from the GCC accounted for 30 per cent, and 13 per cent came from various other Arab countries.
Asian tourists comprised 20 per cent, and American, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, African and Pacific tourists made up the remaining four per cent.
Mohammad A. Al Noman, the authority's director-general, said, "This increase in the number of hotel premises in the emirate and the rise in their occupancy rate indicate clearly the increased volume of tourists visiting Sharjah, which has occupied a leading position on the international tourism map.
Clear strategy
"The authority is working according to a clear strategy to develop the tourism sector of Sharjah by targeting international markets, and organising events and activities that further promote the emirate through tourism, trade fairs and promotional tours.
"The statistics reflect the changes occurring in the tourism sector in Sharjah, and the positive outcome of our efforts throughout the year."
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