Business | Tourism
Gulf tourist arrivals in Sharjah climb 10% in first half of year
Gulf tourist arrivals in Sharjah increased by 10 per cent to 170,000 during the first half this year, compared to the corresponding period last year, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) said in a statement yesterday.
- Staff Report
- Published: 23:22 August 11, 2008
- Sharjah has evolved into a prominent regional destinations for GCC tourists. This picture is for illustrative purposes only.
- Image Credit: Gulf News archive
Dubai: Gulf tourist arrivals in Sharjah increased by 10 per cent to 170,000 during the first half this year, compared to the corresponding period last year, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) said in a statement yesterday.
The GCC tourist influx into Sharjah has substantially grown in summer 2008, and is expected to see further increases up to the end of summer season.
"The current rise can be largely attributed to the visionary promotional policies adopted by SCTDA, aimed at attracting more GCC tourists into the emirate during summer," SCTDA, the emirate's tourism regulatory body, said.
Sharjah is considered as one of the most prominent regional destinations for GCC tourists.
SCTDA's statistics issued for 2007 showed that GCC tourists accounted for 30 per cent of the total tourist influx into the emirate, a figure that highlights the significance of this vital market, and urges more efforts to be exerted in developing new tourism products and diversifying tourism offers to ensure a sustainable growth to Sharjah rapid growing tourism sector.
"Statistics issued by the authority for the first half of 2008 ended June 30 showed an increase in the number of GCC visitors to the emirate at over 170,000, a 10 per cent growth when compared to the figures reported for the corresponding period in 2007. This yields in a record hotel occupancy rate in Sharjah this summer."
Mohammad A. Al No'man, director-general of SCTDA, expected a further increase of 15 per cent in the GCC tourist influx into the emirate during the remaining period of this summer, and the second half of the year, noting that Sharjah's tourism sector is witnessing a considerable growth during the current year, with very promising results of summer season since its beginning.
He said the good strategic planning set by the authority has been bearing fruits year on year.
"SCTDA seeks to oil the wheels of economic growth by increasing the marketing and promotional activities for the emirate, with particular focus on its unique blend of past and present, archaeological treasures and modern development which make the emirate a world-class destination of choice," he said.
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