Special Features
Tourists throng Sharjah
Ramadan is the best time to be in Sharjah as the emirate rolls out the red carpet for visitors from across the region and around the world. As in the past, a series of special events and festivals during the holy month are once again attracting international visitors to Sharjah in large numbers, stimulating the tourism sector in the emirate.HE Mohamed Ali Al Noman, Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, said that the Sharjah Ramadan Festival, in its 23rd edition, once again has the emirate at its charming best with a host of special programmes and festivals like Ramadaniat Al Qasba, coupled with a range of exciting promotions and activities in shopping centers, malls and luxury hotels wowing thousands of international tourists and Arab and GCC visitors.
“Ramadan has always been special in the emirate celebrated as the Cultural Capital of the Arab and Islamic world. We are keen to rekindle the spirit of the holy month and once again offer the visitors a complete experience through concerted efforts between the government and private sector,” said Al Noman.
He emphasised that in addition to regular events and special promotions, this special season will also see the emirate host a number of religious, cultural and heritage activities, reviving memories and traditions of Ramadan in the UAE in general and Sharjah in particular.
Al Noman said that various special events and activities during the holy month have been playing a positive role in stimulating the tourism sector and increasing the demand on hotels, shopping centres, restaurants and in other areas of the hospitality sector in the emirate. “This is important to boost the economic sector in the emirate,” he pointed out.
More than 90,000 tourists from diverse nationalities visited Sharjah last year during Ramadan, Al Noman said, adding that the authorities expected the numbers to go up even higher this year.
Such exhibitions and events contribute to the economic well being of the emirate besides bringing together exhibitors and shoppers from different nationalities. The Sharjah Ramadan Festival, organised by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), offers great entertainment for the whole family and brings together a number of government and private establishments and institutions in the emirate.
The festival offers a slew of special events and activities carefully selected to meet the needs and interests of visitors and shoppers. A number of religious, social and scientific programmes and lectures are also being held as part of the Ramadan festival.
The SCCI also regulates the Ramadan and Eid exhibition at Sharjah Expo as part of Sharjah Ramadan Festival, which is one of the leading consumer exhibitions in the region, and offers a great variety of choices both for visitors to the UAE and residents. Exhibitors from Africa, China, Thailand, Turkey, India, Italy, Pakistan, Singapore and Malaysia are taking part in the fair. For the first time, this Ramadan also sees an exhibition in Khor Fakkan with more than 90 exhibitors participating in the fair.
As in the past, this holy month has Al Qasba, located close to the picturesque Buheirah Corniche, in its full glory with Ramadaniat Al Qasba offering a variety of special programs and amusement activities for the families in an atmosphere of faith and piety.
The number of hotels and restaurants on either side of the lagoon offer the best of East and West to break the fast at dusk and unwind. Al Noman said that the SCTDA is working to support all activities and events that promote the tourism sector in the emirate and boost its economy, in addition to hosting world-class tourism and cultural festivals throughout the year.
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