Breaking Travel News reporting live from ITB Berlin 2014

The Sharjah pavilion at the ITB Berlin, which got underway yesterday (March 5) and will continue until March 9, received an overwhelming response from the European and international media and attracted a number of dignitaries amidst a number of special events. HE Mohamed Ali Al Noman, Chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority welcomed the UAE Ambassador to Germany HE Juma Mubarak Al Junaibi and Lebanese Tourism Minister Michel Pharaon besides a number of leaders of international tourism industry at the Sharjah pavilion who expressed their happiness at Sharjah’s strong presence.

Speaking about Sharjah’s participation in the ITB, which is the largest international exhibition of the tourism and travel industry, Al Noman said that this is the 17th year of Emirate’s participation in the exhibition in German capital. He said that the response on the day one of the exhibition has been very encouraging with a number of representatives of international destinations and tourism companies and media visiting the pavilion and showing interest in Sharjah and future cooperation opportunities with the Emirate.

Al Noman said that the Authority is keen to constantly improve its participation in the premier exhibition to showcase Sharjah in all its diversity and strength as a unique tourism and investment destination, year after year. This has reflected in the success that the Emirate has achieved over the years with a number of international awards and accolades coming its way, he added.

The SCTDA Chairman said that the Authority has been working to boost relations with major global destinations throughout the year to promote Sharjah’s tourism product in their tourism markets and to benefit from their experience evolving global partnerships. Besides, road shows and promotional tours are being held by the Authority in a number of capitals and cities in the region and around the world to target new tourist markets, he added.

The Authority also reaches out to various international diplomatic missions and representatives of international tourism companies based in the UAE to host familiarisation tours for them in the Emirate.

Al Noman underscored the importance of joint efforts of government agencies and private sector players, who are part of Sharjah’s delegation, in promoting Sharjah’s tourism product and its rich cultural heritage in major global destinations. He drew attention to a number of new tourism, leisure and hospitality industry facilities that have come up in the Emirate or are underway at a time when Sharjah has unveiled grand celebrations and special events to mark the proud honour of its being chosen as the Capital of Islamic Culture for 2014.

Sharjah is being showcased at the ITB Berlin once again from an attractive 403-sqm pavilion representing the Emirate’s Arab-Islamic heritage, culture, iconic tourist attractions and celebrated cultural events, festivals besides profiling the UAE’s traditions, folklore, cuisine and arts. The Sharjah pavilion will also provide the visitors with literature and promotional leaflets and brochures in English and German about Sharjah and all that it has to offer.

Led by the SCTDA Chairman HE Mohamed Ali Al Noman, the Sharjah delegation includes Environment & Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), Sharjah, Shurooq (Sharjah Investment and Development Authority), Sharjah Airport Authority, Air Arabia, Sharjah Museums Department, Sharjah Healthcare City, Sharjah National Hotels (Holiday International, Marbella resort and the Oceanic Resort and Spa), Hilton Sharjah, Radisson Blu Sharjah, Coral Beach Resort, Hotel Copthorne Sharjah and Cozmo Travel etc.

It is worth mentioning that the SCTDA has received a number of awards and honours in its previous participations in the ITB Berlin including the Best Middle East Exhibitor Award and the Best Pavilion Award besides distinctions in other categories.