Sharjah focuses on experiential travel at WTM London

Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) promoted the emirate’s unique tourism attractions during its participation at the recently-concluded WTM London.

TT Bureau

As a leading global event, WTM London 2018 provided a unique platform for tourists and visitors looking for exceptional experiences to enjoy. This year’s exhibition focused on the emerging global trend, ‘bleisure’ which includes the combined experiences from business tourism and leisure. SCTDA participated at WTM London for the 16th consecutive year, bringing its distinctive tourism product offerings to the UK market featuring Sharjah’s family, culture, soft adventure and ecotourism destinations. The initiative is in line with SCTDA’s commitment to meet the targets set within the Sharjah Tourism Vision 2021 to attract 10 million visitors in the emirate by 2021.

HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman, SCTDA, said that the authority’s participation at the global event for the 16th year reflects its continuous efforts to achieve its strategic goals and objectives aimed at targeting major global tourism markets. “SCTDA continuously works towards attracting a greater number of visitors from the UK and Ireland with unique offerings while showcasing a wide range of outstanding experiences and continuing to increase our international network in line with Sharjah’s tourism goals. The exhibition is an important addition to our ongoing efforts to provide the most important experiences and tourist products and provide new experiences to our visitors while capitalising on Sharjah’s diverse heritage. SCTDA’s programmes will showcase Sharjah’s unique tourism environment, which is naturally rich in biodiversity and the various tourism developments taking place in the emirate,” he elaborated.

Al Midfa further emphasised on the importance of international exhibitions in promoting Sharjah’s tourism hotspots to the international market and attracting tourists and investors to the emirate, saying, “We have seen the growing appeal of Sharjah as a destination for ‘bleisure’ travellers as business executives learn to optimise long weekends to spend time with their families and take advantage of the emirate’s popularity as a family-friendly destination.”

SCTDA will deliver a comprehensive education and engagement programme for WTM London visitors in close collaboration with its key partners on tourism packages focused on delivering overall experiential travel as more holidaymakers seek for more valuable and deeper experiences. As part of the promotion of the tourism sector, the authority will announce several hotels and tourism products set to open next year to ensure competitiveness and excellence on par with other tourist destinations in the region.

SCTDA was joined by Sharjah Museums Authority, Sharjah International Airport, Sharjah Airport Travel Agency (SATA), Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), Sharjah Women Sport Foundation, Al Bait Hotel, Al Shaab Village, Royal Tulip, Sheraton Beach Resort and Spa and Ramada Hotel and Suites.