SCTDA Honours Swf Sponsors And Partners At Gala Dinner

Al Qassimi: Grand festivals and events like SWF boost Sharjah’s profile on world tourism map

The spectacular success of the Sharjah Water Festival 2011 last month has reaffirmed the emirate’s position as a complete global tourism destination and underscored its ability to host such international events, said Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority.

Speaking at a gala dinner at the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce on Monday to celebrate the success of the SWF 2011 and honour support sponsors, government officials and members of the media, Al Qassimi attributed the success to the leadership of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and collective efforts of the SCTDA and public and private sectors.

He congratulated the people of the UAE on the return of the Sharjah Ruler after his successful treatment abroad, saying he is the father and leader who has been guiding the emirate all these years to progress on all fronts.

Al Qassimi described 2011 as a year of “impressive achievements and great success” that have boosted Sharjah’s profile on the world tourism map. The year ended on a high note with the fifth edition of the Sharjah Water Festival attracting more than 180,000 visitors. “For ten days, fun and joy filled Al Majaz Park and Khaled Lagoon with tens of thousands of enjoying the great international shows and events presented for the first time in the UAE,” he said.

The SCTDA Chairman said, “The success of the Sharjah Water Festival is driven by our objective and desire to promote the emirate as a global destination for tourism, culture, commerce, education and much more. The Sharjah Water Festival and other successful events and festivals held throughout the year also underscore the emirate’s ability to host and manage international events. There is more to Sharjah than its world famous cultural heritage and its position as the home of education and culture.”

Al Qassimi said that the SCTDA is constantly working on ways and strategies to attract international tourists in turn boosting the emirate’s economy. “We are forever striving to attract more tourists to the emirate by hosting international events like the Sharjah Water Festival, which coincides with the UIM F1H2O Powerboat World Championship, the Grand Prix of Sharjah that the emirate has been hosting for the past 12 years,” he said.

Festivals and events like these help the SCTDA showcase the emirate’s unique tourism product before the world, he emphasised. “As we enter a new phase of our promotional strategies, we believe that this fascinating emirate and tourism destination has a great future ahead,” he added.

The SWF partners and sponsors, senior officials and members of the media were felicitated on the occasion. Al Qassimi thanked them for their constant support and cooperation in making the SWF 2011 a thundering success.

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