Sharjah turns spotlight on cruise tourism opportunities on World Tourism Day

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Written by Linda Hohnholz

Sharjah turned the spotlight on its picturesque east coast by hosting the World Tourism Day celebrations in the port city of Khorfakkan on Wednesday, September 24, 2014.

Sharjah turned the spotlight on its picturesque east coast by hosting the World Tourism Day celebrations in the port city of Khorfakkan on Wednesday, September 24, 2014. HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Director General, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, led the enthusiastic celebrations of UN World Tourism Day in the presence of senior government officials and leaders of the tourism and hospitality industry from across the country, including Shurooq, DTCM, Sharjah Ports Authority, and dnata, etc.

Welcoming the guests, HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa said the Authority this year chose to host the World Tourism Day 2014, being celebrated by the United Nations under the theme of โ€˜Tourism and Community Development,โ€™ in Khorfakkan in view of the massive tourism and development growth being witnessed in the region and the special attention the East Coast has been receiving from the tourism industry.

โ€œThe UAE is amongst the fastest growing tourism markets in the region and the world. Perhaps nowhere is this more apparent than here — on the picturesque East Coast of Sharjah,โ€ said Al Midfa.

โ€œThe new cruise-line industry is bringing in nearly 50,000 extra tourists to our emirate alone. The cruise industry is a valuable addition to any country mainly due to the fact the โ€œtourism footprintโ€ is low and the economic opportunity is high. Once this area has fully realised its enterprise opportunity, it is estimated that cruises could potentially generate another Dh 16 million for our economy,โ€ noted the Director General, pointing out that this is one of the reasons the Authority chose Khorfakkan for the celebrations this year.

Khorfakkan has been a key stop for international luxury cruise-liners, since opening its doors to international cruise ships in the early 1980s.

Elaborating on the World Tourism Day theme of Tourism and Community Development, Al Midfa said it holds the key to a more sustainable future for all, emphasising the transformative role of tourism and its social, political, cultural and economic relevance in the world today.

Al Midfa said: โ€œIn accordance with our leadershipโ€™s vision and guidance, the focus of the Authority since its very inception has been on strong sustainable growth. This year we can stand tall with confidence as the high profile awards that we have received all underscore the success of the effort to date. All our policies, programmes and activities are inspired and driven by the same vision, spirit, and level of dedication and foresight.โ€

It is thanks to these efforts and initiatives that Sharjah has been recognised as the Capital of Islamic Culture by the OIC nations for 2014. To further exemplify our success the Emirate has been chosen for the prestigious honour of the Capital of Arab Tourism in 2015 by Arab League member states, he added.

The SCTDA Director General pointed out the East Coast is being actively regenerated with direct support from Shurooq amongst others with strong ambitious groundbreaking projects like the Chedi Khorfakkan and Kalba Ecotourism developments.

โ€œThe Khorfakkan port is in a beautiful setting. In fact, the whole region is set to grow significantly in times ahead as the tourism infrastructure and amenities offered to international visitors are improved and upgraded and more hotels open. With Sharjahโ€™s fast growing tourism population and its expanding needs, there has never been a better time to invest in the emirateโ€™s tourism infrastructure, especially in this beautiful Eastern region.โ€

Thanking the countryโ€™s key industry players including the DTCM (Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing) Shurooq (Sharjah Investment and Development Authority), Sharjah Ports Authority and dnata, for their participation, Al Midfa emphasised that World Tourism Day is always a good opportunity for cooperation and exchange of information that can benefit all those working in the tourism sector in the emirate and the UAE.

Speaking on the occasion about regional cruise tourism opportunities and Cruise Arabia initiative, Mr Hamad Bin Mejren, Executive Director, Business Tourism, DTCM said: โ€œHere in the UAE we are blessed with a government that recognises the value of tourism, and fosters its growth and development as an economic driver and creator of employment opportunities. We are grateful to our friends at Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority for extending an invitation to participate at their event to mark World Tourism Day, and to discuss how tourism โ€“ and specifically cruise tourism โ€“ has and can continue to contribute to the UAEโ€™s growth and success.

โ€œAt todayโ€™s event, it was my pleasure to be able to share news of the success of the Cruise Arabia partnership. This collaborative initiative between Omanโ€™s Ministry of Tourism, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority and Dubai Tourism sees all three authorities working together to more effectively promote the Arabian Gulf as a destination for international cruise tourists. With the recent introduction of the UAE cruise visa there are now even more opportunities for us to work hand in hand with our UAE partners to attract greater numbers of cruise travellers. Todayโ€™s event in Khorfakkan has helped to further strengthen our positive working relationship with our Sharjah tourism partners across both public and private sectors.โ€

Among those who spoke on the occasion included Mr Mohammed Kareem Saad, Administrative Manager, Khorfakkan Port, Sharjah Ports Authority, Mr Mohammed Juma Al Musharrakh, Head of Investment Promotions, Shurooq, Mr Jasem Zaiton, Cruise Manager, dnata and Mr Ali Al Saloom, Cultural Consultant and Founder of the โ€˜Ask Aliโ€™ initiative.

The day-long program at the newly refurbished Oceanic Hotel overlooking the Khorfakkan Corniche also included an exciting, freewheeling discussion and Q&A session involving various speakers and members of the local industry and the media.

Guests were taken on a boat cruise to nearby islands followed by visits to Heritage Village and local houses to experience examples of community involvement in tourism.

About the author

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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