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Sharjah Expects 10% Increase In GCC Visitor Numbers This Festive Season |
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Ramadan is easily the best time of the year to be in Sharjah. The emirate is once again rolling out the red carpet for visitors with its numerous special programmes, events and promotions during this festive season of Ramadan and Eid. Sharjah is expecting a 10% increase in the GCC visitor numbers this Ramadan and Eid, which coincides this year with the summer vacation. Ramadan in Sharjah has always had a distinct character and flavour with a number of celebrations, festivals, exhibitions and offers at the malls, hotels and restaurants as well as airline promotions making the emirate a perfect family destination for GCC visitors. Commenting on the significance of visitors from across the Gulf region and the attractions offered by Sharjah, Mohamed Ali Al Noman, Director General of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, said, "GCC tourism always boosts the tourism movement during Ramadan. A huge number of GCC nationals prefer spending the holy month in Sharjah in the welcoming milieu of Arab-Islamic heritage, culture and entertainment. Every year, the emirate witnesses a remarkable presence of GCC visitors. Last year during Ramadan, more than 46,000 GCC tourists visited the emirate. This year a number of new hotels have come up in Sharjah meeting the demand of the increasing number of GCC visitors." Al Noman pointed out that relatively short distance and low airfares also attract GCC tourists to the emirate. Entry procedures and facilities are smooth and hassle-free. "Hotels promotions and discounts at malls and shopping centres all come together to increase the flow of GCC tourists into the emirate," he added. Tourists always look for safe and secure destinations to visit and Sharjah is among the best in the region with world class infrastructure and tourism facilities which have had a crucial role to play in the increase of GCC tourists spending Ramadan in Sharjah, emphasised the Director General. Sharjah is hosting a number of special events and programmes to celebrate this festive season. The Sharjah Ramadan Festival, hosted by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry in its 22nd year, is being held from August 4 to September 10 alongside a number of other special events and activities in the emirate such as Ramadaniat Al Qasba and a series of special Ramadan lectures and symposiums by renowned Islamic scholars at Eiman Oasis. The Ramadan and Eid Fair at Sharjah Expo Centre, from August 11 to September 3, is another major attraction of the season. The SCDTA organises every year road shows in a number of GCC capitals and cities aiming at strengthening the GCC tourism cooperation and promoting Sharjah’s tourism as a distinct cultural and family tourism destination.
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