Sharjah’s leisure and tourist attractions are to be showcased at the Leisure Moscow 2013 fair, being held in the Russian capital from 17 to 20 September, as part of the emirate’s continuing efforts to bolster its tourism growth and strengthen its position on the world tourism map as a complete family tourism and leisure destination.

HE Mohamed Ali Al Noman, Chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority is heading the emirate’s delegation to the international leisure tourism exhibition in Moscow that opens today (September 17). The Sharjah delegation includes senior representatives of the emirate’s tourism and hospitality sectors including Sharjah International Airport, Air Arabia, Al Khalidiya Tourism, Hotel Golden Tulip Sharjah, Sharjah National Hotels group, Hotel Ramada Sharjah, Coral Beach Resort, Al Seef Beach Resort and Sharjah National Travel and Tourism Agency.

Speaking on the occasion, Al Noman underscored the significance of the emirate’s continued presence and participation in the high-profile leisure tourism exhibition for the 13th year, saying it has directly contributed to the positive signs Sharjah’s tourism sector has demonstrated over the past few years. The SCTDA Chairman said that the emirate’s position continues to grow in the Russian tourism markets.

According to the statistics recently released by the Authority, Sharjah is one of the most popular and prominent tourist destinations for the Russian tourists. Al Noman pointed out that the emirate received 220,662 Russian tourists during the first half of the year and the Russians topped the list of international tourists to Sharjah, constituting 23 per cent of the total number of international visitors.

The SCTDA Chairman said that the participation in the Moscow fair is an excellent opportunity to promote the latest developments and projects in the emirate’s tourism industry and update ourselves about the latest trends and developments in the global tourism sector and exchange ideas, experiences and expertise with the industry leaders and key players.

Al Noman said that the Authority is hoping to attract more Russian investors and tourists and build new relationships and partnerships with the leading players of the Russian tourism market and industry. Besides showcasing its popular tourist attractions, the emirate is also looking to promote its cultural heritage, ideal climate and environment to encourage more tourist numbers and investors, boosting the international tourist inflow.

Referring to Sharjah’s successful participation in the Moscow fair in the past, Al Noman referred to various awards and accolades won by the emirate in the past few years, including the Most Active Tourism Destination Award last year, for its distinguished presence.

Sharjah has been put into spotlight by way of an attractive and modern pavilion that reflects the emirate’s tourism and heritage. A number of brochures, books and other promotional material in both English and Russian are available for the benefit of the visitors giving them an insight into the emirate.

The Authority also has a dedicated Russian language website ( www.sharjahtourism.ae/ru) in order to reach out to the vast Russian market and encourage more Russian tourists to visit the emirate and enjoy its golden beaches, heritage, leisure opportunities and international festivals and events held throughout the year and special promotions in the coming months.