Sharjah: Sharjah is gearing up to showcase its thriving sustainable eco-tourism industry at the upcoming Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2023, scheduled to take place from May 1st to 4th, 2023, at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
The event will focus on sustainability in the travel and tourism sector, with the theme “Working Towards Net Zero.” The objective is to position Sharjah as a major player in the global tourism market, highlighting its competitive and innovative edge in the sustainable eco-tourism industry and seeking new collaborative opportunities with other global tourism destinations.
The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) will supervise the emirate’s pavilion, which will feature offerings from 20 Sharjah Government and private entities, including Sharjah International Airport, Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), Sharjah Institute for Heritage (SIOH), Sharjah Department of Awqaf (Awqaf), Sharjah Sports Council, Sharjah Classic Cars Club, and BEEAH Group. Numerous private entities from the tourism, travel, and hospitality sector will also participate in the Sharjah pavilion.
During the event, the SCTDA will hold a press conference at the Sharjah Pavilion to announce the latest tourism projects, programmes, initiatives, and activities aimed at enhancing the tourism sector in the emirate. Mr. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA, and other officials from participating entities will be present at the conference, scheduled for May 3rd at 12:00 PM at ME2210 in Hall 2.
Mr. Al Midfa commented that “our participation in ATM 2023 comes as the emirate’s tourism sector is experiencing a boom which was reflected in hotel occupancy rates. The sector registered a 16 percent growth in hotel guest numbers last year, reaching a total of 1.4 million hotel guests, while the hotel occupancy rate reached 66 percent, supported by the diversity of destinations and experiences offered by the emirate to its visitors.”
“ATM’s sustainability pledge and the event’s focus on exploring sustainability in travel aligns with Sharjah’s commitment to a more sustainable future, expanding its ecotourism destinations and further investing in this sector, which is becoming increasingly popular among tourists who prefer these types of destinations. We expect it to have a prosperous future among other tourism sectors in Sharjah,” the Chairman added.