In a successful end to activities at the Beijing International Tourism Expo, the Emirate of Sharjah won the best stand design amongst more than 800 participating stands from different countries. The awards were handed at a large ceremony attended by the Director General of the Chinese Tourism Authority, the General Organizer of the Exhibition, top officials, other exhibitors and international media. Representatives of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority received the award of being the best participant stand in the exhibition.

The award is considered to be amongst the most important, and is based on various research and studies, and the opinion of the organizing committee in coordination with the Chinese Tourism Authority. The exhibition stand of Emirate of Sharjah was able to impress through its unique design and attracted thousands of visitors and media.

Commenting on this award, H.E. Mohamed A. Al Noman, SCTDA Director General praised the consistent efforts of the SCTDA in promoting the Emirate through being a strong representative of Sharjah amongst international audiences.

He added: ‘There is no doubt that this international achievement is an addition to the various accomplishments that the authority has secured since its establishment. Today, our success obliges us to work harder and spend greater efforts towards moving forward in our mission to rightly position the Emirate of Sharjah on the international tourism map, under the care and advice of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohamed Al Qassimi, Member of Supreme Council Ruler of Sharjah’.

Al Noman emphasized the importance of participation in this exhibition, saying,

‘Commercial and tourism marketing should keep up with the requirements of the rapidly growing tourism sector. Sharjah’s tourism sector has made great strides recently. Marked improvements in the emirate’s infrastructure and other service sectors have opened the door for investments in the hotel, tourism and commercial sectors. There is no doubt that our participation in this exhibition will unlock new markets that will fulfill the requirements of those sectors.’

“We aim at making this exhibition a basis to attract Chinese tourists, as Sharjah attracted more than 10,000 Chinese tourists last year, recording 50 per cent growth. Therefore, we see a huge potential in the Chinese tourism and commercial markets, which are open and active, and can generate large number of tourists to Sharjah in line with our ambitious programs for the next 5 year to improve this rapidly growing sector. We have been delightfully successful as our stand in the exhibition has bagged the “best design” award, and this has added a new milestone to our achievements this year, worldwide. In the first quarter of this year, the Sharjah stand won the “Best Middle East Stand” award in Berlin Travel and Tourism Show, the biggest international event in travel and tourism industry. SCTDA also won another industry award - “Best Tourist Promotional Material” in The East Mediterranean International Travel and Tourism Exhibition in Turkey,’ Al Noman added.

The Sharjah delegation to the event was led by H.E Mohammed Ali Al Noman, Director General, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, and included representatives from Qanat Al Qasba, Radisson SAS, Al Khalidiya Travel and Tourism, and Tropic Tours.

The objective of SCTDA’s participation in the Beijing International Travel and Tourism Expo is to enhance the objectives of SCTDA, which are to sustain the development of tourism in Sharjah by enhancing its position in the international tourism market and diversifying the sources of tourists. SCTDA aims to benefit from the huge potential of the Chinese market which exports more than 20 million tourists a year, a number which is forecasted to reach 100 million by 2020.

As part of their outstanding efforts to make a distinguished presence in Beijing, SCTDA operated from an eye-catching stand inspired by Sharjah’s archeological heritage. SCTDA also provided information and news about the Emirate by distributing several publications in English and Chinese to visitors at their stand.

Beijing International Tourism Expo is one of the most important travel and tourism fairs in China, attracting more than 800 exhibitor representing 80 countries, and was expected to attract 20,000 visitors in its third session.
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