HE Mohamed Ali Al Noman, Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority has underscored the importance of cooperation between all tourism sector players and concerted efforts between the government and private sectors in the emirate in order to enhance the tourism experience and promote Sharjah as a distinct and leading tourist destination in the region.

This came in Al Noman’s remarks made during a visit to the new Hotel Copthorne on Monday, which is all set to open in the middle of May in Sharjah. He was accompanied by SCTDA Director General HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa and other senior officials. The SCTDA delegation was received by Hotel Copthorne General Manager Mr Mamdouh Hakim. The delegation was briefed on the hotel project and services and facilities being readied for the visitors.

Commenting on the remarkable development and progress witnessed by the hotel industry in the emirate in recent times, the SCTDA Chairman said that a number of new hotel projects are set to come up in the emirate. Sharjah has been encouraging investments in the hospitality sector in view of the growing number of international tourists every year and in the next three years the number of hotel rooms in the emirate would reach 12,000, he added.

Al Noman said that the SCTDA is working to provide all the facilities and amenities required to serve the tourism sector in the emirate and is sparing no efforts to promote cooperation and direct, constant communication between all government agencies and private entities. He said the Authority has hosted a number of meetings and workshops in recent months with representatives of hotel establishments in the emirate in order to strengthen the bonds of cooperation with all partners in the tourism sector in the emirate.

Al Noman also noted the importance of strengthening the representation of hotel establishments in various local and regional events as part of the Sharjah delegation, particularly in tourism fairs such as the Arabian Travel Market, which is held in Dubai in the month of May.

Hotel Copthorne is an international four-star, and is part of international hotel group called Millennium & Copthorne Hotels. Enjoying the pride of place overlooking the picturesque Khalid Lagoon, the hotel boasts a total of 254 rooms and suites besides ball rooms, restaurants and coffee shops.