Successful Sharjah road shows in Europe

The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority held successful road shows in major cities of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, attracting considerable attention and interest of the European tourism industry and the media in the emirate celebrated as the Home of Arab Culture.

Held from November 12 to 14 in Zurich, Munich, Vienna and other main cities, the Sharjah road shows are part of the SCTDA’s strategy to reach out to untapped and unexplored segments of the enormous European tourism market.

Commenting on the campaign, Majid Abdalla Al Qassimi, Head of SCTDA’s Missions and Delegations Division, Overseas Promotions Department said: “Europe is one of the key feeding markets of the tourism sector in the emirate. The Europeans make up our largest tourist segment after the Gulf Arab region and it is important to tap the immense potential of this market. The Europeans happen to be great tourism enthusiasts and are amongst the most travelled people in the world. Among the Europeans, the Germans are our largest market after Russia. Out of more than 445,000 Europeans who visited Sharjah until October this year, 57,461 happened to be the Germans.”

Last in the series of the SCTDA’s international road shows this year, the European campaign included workshops and presentations on Sharjah’s tourism market and meetings with heads and representatives of Europe’s leading tourism and travel agencies, hotels and the media.

Besides showcasing the numerous tourist attractions and leisure options and an authentic Arabian tourism experience, the team of senior SCTDA officials focused on the upcoming popular annual events like the Sharjah Water Festival 2012, including the UIM H20 World Championship--Sharjah Grand Prix, and Sharjah Light Festival that attract thousands of visitors from across the region and around the world.

Al Qassimi said that with its continuous celebration of art, heritage and culture and popular events and exhibitions like the ongoing Sharjah International Book Fair and the SWF and SLF etc., the emirate offered the discerning international visitors year-long fun and rich cultural experience.

“Sharjah is a year-long destination for the whole family,” emphasised Al Qassimi. “The emirate’s convenient location, its proximity and air connectivity to Europe and affordable holiday options makes it an ideal and attractive destination for the European travellers,” he added.