The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority has unveiled its first high profile participation in International Tourism Trade Fair, taking place from 18-22 January in the Spanish capital Madrid. FITUR Madrid is considered one of the most high profile and high-end exhibitions and events of the international tourism and travel industry.

The SCTDA is heading a high profile delegation of Sharjah government departments and entities, including the Sharjah Media Center, and representatives of hospitality and tourism industry that includes Coral Beach Resort and Sharjah Grand Hotel. The Madrid expo will see an attractive Sharjah stand with a unique design celebrating the cultural heritage of the emirate and the UAE with live presentations.

Announcing Sharjah’s participation in the Madrid exhibition, a press statement by the SCTDA said that the Authority is keen to take the emirate to all high profile international travel and tourism exhibitions and events. “It gives us an excellent opportunity to promote Sharjah and its unique tourist attractions, including the world class cultural festivals and fun and games it hosts throughout the year, before a global audience,” said the SCTDA press release pointing out that Sharjah takes part in top 10 international exhibitions around the world throughout the year besides holding road shows in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

The participation in the Madrid exhibition is part of the Authority’s 2012 plan to step up its presence in prominent international exhibitions to promote Sharjah’s tourist attractions, modern infrastructure and hotels, and cultural venues and museums. The emirate has always enjoyed a special place in European markets. The European tourists formed 49 per cent of the total tourists that visited the emirate last year till the third quarter when the number touched 535,342 tourists.

The SCTDA described the participation in the Madrid expo as a “strategic new step” into the crucial Spanish tourism market, which is considered one of the largest exporters of tourists. “This is the second one after our participation in EIBTM--the Global Meeting and Events Exhibition in Barcelona. This is even more important because FITUR is considered the largest travel and tourism exhibition in Spain and enjoys a prominent position on the international tourism exhibitions map, hosting top exhibitors and tourism professionals from around the world,” said the statement.

FITUR Madrid is a perfect platform to share experiences, exchange ideas and keep ourselves abreast of the latest trends and developments in the international tourism industry.

The 32nd edition of the exhibition will host the best of the best and virtual who’s who of the global tourism industry, including top airlines, hotels, travel agencies and tourism services and representatives of the world media. They all meet to brainstorm and devise new strategies and plans to boost the business and strengthen the industry. As FITUR puts it, they meet to transform leisure into business and business into development for those destinations that welcome millions of travellers.

Last year, FITUR Madrid hosted more than 100,000 exhibitors from 166 destinations and more than 7,000 media representative from 59 countries. The exhibition received more than 209,000 visitors. The number is likely to go up this year.