Sharjah In Spotlight As ITB Berlin Gets Off To A Grand Start

Germans Largest Segment Of European Tourists After Russians: Al Noman

The International Tourism Bourse 2012 got off to a grand, colourful start on Wednesday with Sharjah attracting considerable attention at the high-profile networking event of the tourism industry being held in the German capital, Berlin, from March 7 to 13. Several Emirati and German dignitaries, senior officials, diplomats, business leaders and representatives of international media visited the Sharjah stand on the opening day and were briefed about the emirate and its tourism projects. Considerable interest was also shown by German visitors.

The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority Chairman HE Mohamed Ali Al Noman welcomed the UAE Ambassador in Germany H.E. Mohamad Ahmad Al Mahmoud and other dignitaries at the Sharjah stand in the German capital. Terming Sharjah’s participation in the ITB for the 15th year in a row as “extraordinary,” the UAE ambassador praised the great tourist attractions and cultural offerings of the emirate and its distinct presence at international exhibitions and events such as these.

Speaking on the occasion, Al Noman said he was pleased with the response and keen interest shown in Sharjah by the German and International media. “This is a result of Sharjah’s strategy to develop and promote the tourism sector, maintaining the prominent position the emirate has come to enjoy on global tourist map. It continues to attract international tourism markets, especially for the German tourists,” he said.

Al Noman said Sharjah attaches highest importance to the participation in the ITB Berlin as Germany and Europe are our prime market. “The Germans form the second largest segment of European tourists to Sharjah after Russia. Last year the emirate received more than 111,872 German tourists as against 107,530 in 2010,” he said.

The overall German flow into the emirate has increased 121 per cent over the last seven years. The German travel and tourism companies listed Sharjah on top of their tourism destination list because of the emirate’s rich culture and heritage along with other touristic features favoured by the German tourists.

“There’s no doubt that this participation in the German travel and tourism market will have a huge impact on the cooperation and communication process in this sector. This will further boost the number of the German tourists into Sharjah and promote the emirate’s tourist attractions in the European market,” he said. “We are keen to showcase the best of emirate’s rare tourist attractions and rich heritage at this global event. We also want to explore all the avenues possible to boost the emirate’s position and attract more German and European tourists.”

Sharjah’s tourism season now covers all year long which has already increased the tourists flow into the emirate, he pointed out. “We expect more international visitors in months and years to come,” Al Noman said.

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