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UAE Ambassador to Germany, VIPs visit Sharjah’s stand at ITB Berlin |
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The emirate of Sharjah’s stand at the International Tourism Bourse (ITB), being held in Berlin from 11 to 15 March 2009, has been a centre of attention for numerous VIPs and senior diplomats, and a hive of business activity during the exhibition’s first two days. Among the stand’s many visitors was HE Mohammed Ahmed Al Mahmoud, UAE Ambassador to Germany, who was received by Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmad Al Qassimi, Chariman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA). Al Mahmoud praised Sharjah’s presence at the exhibition, describing it as a special participation, which confirmed the importance of the emirate’s touristic and cultural offering and its strong belief in the importance and effectiveness of international exhibitions. Al Qassimi, together with SCTDA Director-General HE Mohammed A. Al Noman and the businessmen and government officials making up the Sharjah delegation to the exhibition, also received HE Khalaf Al Habtoor, President of the Al Habtoor Group at Sharjah’s stand. Emphasising the importance of events such as ITB, Al Qassimi said, "We are delighted at the interest shown by the VIP’s who visited Sharjah’s stand, as well as that of the German - and international - travel and tourism agencies and media. This attention serves to reaffirm the emirate’s leading position as a unique tourist destination, and we have no doubt that this participation and the meetings we have held with the German travel and tourism agencies will play a significant role in further boosting cooperation between Germany and Sharjah, and in attracting German tourists to the emirate." Sharjah’s touristic appeal has resulted in German tour operators looking to send more German tourist groups to the emirate, which is home to a number of cultural and heritage attractions. "The tourism season in the emirate of Sharjah has recently become year-long, partly due to the noticeable increase in the influx of tourists to the emirate. I expect the number of tourists to continue to grow this year as a result of the efforts the SCTDA will be exerting at ITB and throughout the year," Al Qassimi added. The German travel and tourism trade is one of the most significant markets for the emirate of Sharjah, with tens of thousands of Germans visiting the emirate annually. It is ranked among the top providers of European tourists to Sharjah. The emirate, represented by the SCTDA, is keen to assert its presence in the market through various initiatives and events, most noticeably its participation in ITB Berlin. |
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