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Sharjah Reports 70% Hotel Occupancy For Q1 2010 |
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The emirate of Sharjah has reported 70 percent hotel occupancy in the first quarter of this year, a slight increase over last year’s figures despite the repercussions of the global financial crisis, according to the latest statistical report released by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA). The Authority issued detailed statistics for the emirate’s tourism sector performance for the first quarter of 2010, on the sidelines of its participation in the Arabian Travel Market, being held in Dubai from 4 to 7 May. The report showed a slight increase in hotel occupancy rates, with the number of guests staying in the emirate’s hotels increasing from 368,309 in 2009 to 401,647 this year, proving the resilience of the emirate’s tourism sector despite the impacts of the global financial downturn. The statistics also revealed a slight growth in the tourism sector, with an overall occupancy rate of 70 percent in the first quarter of this year, compared to 69 percent in the corresponding period in 2009. Figures also show that the total number of hotels and hotel apartments in Sharjah rose to 109 (41 hotels and 68 hotel apartments), compared to 103 (37 hotels and 66 hotel apartments) in the corresponding period in 2009. The increase in the number of hotels and hotel apartments raised the number of available hotel rooms, which rose to 8,393 in 2010 (4,275 hotel rooms and 4,118 hotel apartment rooms), a remarkable increase from the 7,647 rooms (3,869 hotel rooms and 3,751 hotel apartment rooms) that were available in 2009. According to the SCTDA statistics, a total of 200,952 tourists stayed in the emirate’s hotels during this year’s first quarter, compared to 194,149 in 2009, while the number of tourists who stayed in hotel apartments increased from 174,160 to 200,695. The figures also show that the total number of occupied room nights in Sharjah’s hotel establishments rose to 414,700 nights in 2010, with hotel room nights accounting for 213,104, and hotel apartment room nights totalling 197,846 nights, compared to the 385,567 occupied room nights in 2009, with hotel room nights accounting for 213,135 nights, and hotel apartment room nights totalling 176,389 nights. European tourists, who accounted for 42 per cent of the total tourists visiting Sharjah in the period under review, came first in terms of tourist flow into the emirate, while GCC citizens, who accounted for 23 per cent came second, followed by Asian tourists (19%), tourists from other Arab countries (11%), and tourists from Commonwealth countries, Africa, US and the Pacific region (6%). Commenting on these figures, SCTDA Chairman Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Qassimi said the statistics show the vibrancy and resilience of the emirate’s tourism sector, and its ability to maintain its previous achievements while pressing ahead with well-studied plans for the future to further increase the tourist flow into Sharjah. Concerning the Authority’s activities, Al Qassimi said: "The SCTDA has worked extremely hard during the first half of 2010 as we have stepped up our efforts to target the local, regional and international tourism markets so as to meet the needs of Sharjah’s fast-growing and flourishing tourism sector". The SCTDA made a strong and distinguished appearance for Sharjah at a number of international platforms during the first quarter of 2010, including its biggest and most distinct participation yet at the International Tourism Bourse Berlin. It also succeeded in organizing, hosting and sponsoring a number of major local and international events, such as the prestigious Sharjah Heritage Days. The Authority also organized a number of orientation tours for representatives from the most prominent global tourism agencies in the emirate, as well as for media representatives and a number of delegations visiting Sharjah, as part of its promotional strategy aimed at educating them about the tourism attractions that make Sharjah an ideal tourist destination in order to attract more tourists from all over the world. The SCTDA also organized a promotional tour in a number of European capitals, in cooperation with Air Arabia and representatives from the emirate’s tourism sector, and held meetings with European tourism companies in Turkey, Belgium and Greece. One of the big upcoming events on the SCTDA calendar is the Sharjah Lights Festival 2011, which will be one of the most prestigious events to be held in Sharjah next year. The lights festival will promote Sharjah’s cultural, archaeological and heritage landmarks, as well as its unique and marvellous Islamic architecture, through a series of light shows and music-light displays that will highlight the emirate’s distinguished tourist assets in the best possible manner.
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