Sharjah
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Sharjah attracted unprecedented attention at the 17th International Travel Exhibition or Leisure Moscow 2011 that wrapped up on Saturday. The four day.
Sharjah
Sharjah attracted unprecedented attention at the 17th International Travel Exhibition or Leisure Moscow 2011 that wrapped up on Saturday. The four day travel and tourism fair held in the Russian capital, Moscow, from September 21-24, saw thousands of enthusiastic visitors at the uniquely designed Sharjah pavilion keen to know more about the emirate and numerous holiday options and other opportunities it offered.
Sharjah has been taking part in the high profile Leisure Moscow exhibition for the past 11 years, registering a steady and year-on-year increase of interest in the emirate. Over the past few years, there has been a steep growth in the number of Russian tourists visiting the emirate celebrated for its authentic Arab-Islamic heritage, culture, sunny beaches, shopping opportunities and a secure, traditional lifestyle. Beating all expectations and global slowdown, Sharjah attracted more than 153,000 Russian tourists during the first half of this year.
The booming tourism industry of the emirate sees the Russian market as one of the most important and promising ones. The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority statistics suggest a whopping 36 per cent increase in the number of Russian tourists with more than 153,000 tourists visiting the emirate in the first half of this year, compared to around 112,000 tourists during the same period last year.
The participation in international tourism and travel events like the Leisure Moscow is part of the SCTDA?s strategy to boost the emirate?s position on the global tourism map, especially in the Russian and European market. With its blend of heritage, culture, education, business and leisure, Sharjah offers something that is unique to Russian and European tourists. The emirate offers world class facilities, modern infrastructure and prestigious hotels to international tourists, putting itself amongst top world tourism destinations.
The Sharjah delegation to Moscow, led by the SCTDA, included Sharjah Airport Authority, Sharjah Airport Travel Agency (SATA), Air Arabia, Al Seef Beach Hotel, Coral Beach Resort Sharjah, Hotel Holiday International, Marbella Resort Sharjah, Ramada Sharjah, Royal Beach Resort & Spa, Oceanic Hotel Khor Fakkan and Al Khalidiah Tourism are some of the participants.
The SCTDA officials described the Moscow exhibition as a good opportunity to promote the emirate as a perfect destination for Russian tourists and build new partnerships with the Russian travel and tourism market.
Sharjah today enjoys the distinction of being amongst the favourite tourist destinations of the Russians. Thousands of Russians flock to the emirate every year to enjoy the sunny weather and golden beaches in Sharjah city and on the East Coast that can be enjoyed throughout the year.
The Russians form around 80 per cent of guests at the beach hotels across the emirate. In view of the Russian interest in Sharjah, the SCTDA recently launched its website in Russian (www.sharjahtourism.ae/ru) offering a peek into the emirate of amazing contrasts. The Sharjah stand at Moscow fair also received many Russian officials and tourism officials from other countries.