The Sharjah Commerce
and Tourism Development Authority has wrapped up a successful
workshop titled ‘Cruise Tourism: Opportunities and
Challenges’, held from January 23 to 31 for
senior officials
and heads of various Sharjahgovernment
departments and
agencies.
The
orientation and training campaign included a number
of workshops, lectures and
seminars about the concept, importance and potential of
international luxury
cruise tourism and was aimed at exploring the
ways and means and suggestions to drive the industry’s growth
in Sharjah which has in recent times witnessed a massive
surge in the arrivals of international luxury cruiseliners.
The
SCTDA workshop included sessions on the role of transportation in
promoting cruise tourism, role of support services and identity of
cruise tourists etc. The training and workshop was held at
the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Sharjah and
in East Coast city of Kalba.
This
workshop is the first of its kind in Sharjah and it was
moderated by an expert with long experience in international cruise
industry and in the management of major luxury cruise operators
including AIDA and Costa Crociere. The workshop discussed the history
of cruise tourism in Sharjah, and the development it has
witnessed in recent years as against its development at the global
level. In year 2012, more than 20 million people went on a cruise
worldwide.
The
SCTDA Director General HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa opened and attended
the workshop along with a number of senior officials and
representatives of Sharjah government departments working
in the tourism sector in the emirate notably Department of Seaports
and Customs, General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs,
Shurooq (Sharjah Investment and Development Authority),
Department of Culture and Information, Sharjah Public
Transport Corporation, Khorfakkan Municipality and Sharjah Museums
Department.
Underscoring
the importance of the workshop and training, Al Midfa hoped its
positive results will contribute to the strengthening of cooperation
between various government departments and institutions
engaged in the tourism sector. He called for finding best solutions
to drive the tourism sector’s growth and strengthening
Sharjah’s position as
a perfect destination for international luxury cruise industry.
The
Director General emphasised that the Authority is making all efforts
possible in cooperation with key stakeholders to develop the tourism
sector and cruise tourism in particular providing best facilities in
accordance with international standards and making Sharjah a
pleasant experience for international luxury tourists.
Al
Midfa said that the new facilities and development on Sharjah’s
East Coast are set to double the number of luxury
cruise tourists to the port of Khorfakkan during the 2012-2013
season and could see greater growth in the future.
Referring
to the number of recent meetings with senior officials of the General
Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs, Khorfakkan port and
representatives of the cruise industry, he said the Authority is keen
to promote Sharjahas a perfect destination for cruise tourism
and attract more international luxury cruise ships to boost
the economy.
