(MENAFNEditorial) Saudi and Gulf-Arab tourists continue to evince keen interest in Sharjah, the home of Arab and Islamic culture and civilization, and it was once again demonstrated at the popular response to the Emirate's offering at the Riyadh Travel Fair, held from April 15 to 18. The throng of Saudi and Arab visitors besides a number of dignitaries and Saudi and regional media to the Sharjah stand in the exhibition in the Saudi capital evinced keen interest in the various attractive leisure and holiday options offered by the tourism industry in the Emirate.
"Saudi Arabia remains our biggest and most important tourism market in the region contributing more than 10 per cent of our total tourism market share. More than 192,000 Saudi tourists visited Sharjah in 2013 and these numbers are expected to grow this year as the Emirate unveils new tourism projects, hotel properties and special events and festivals to cater to Gulf, Arab and international visitors," said HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Director General, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, who headed a delegation of Sharjah government entities and private sector players of the tourism and hospitality industry.
Pointing out to the close cultural, historical and religious ties between Saudi Arabia and Sharjah and UAE, Al Midfa said that visitors from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf and Arab countries feel themselves totally at home and welcome in the Emirate. With its celebration of Arab and Islamic culture, heritage and values and complete with safe and friendly environment and incredible diversity, Sharjah is an ideal holiday destination for the Saudi and Arab families, he emphasised.
In this respect, Al Midfa lauded the crucial role being played by Air Arabia, Sharjah's flagship airline, saying the region's favourite low-cost carrier has helped the sector immensely by connecting Saudi Arabia and the rest of the region with Sharjah and offering direct, affordable access. The airline continues to expand its network in the Kingdom and other Gulf states reaching out to new destinations.
The Sharjah delegation put up an impressive show at the 4-day exhibition in Riyadh, showcasing the Emirate's numerous tourist attractions, colourful festivals, diverse landscape and endless avenues of leisure, fun and shopping. One of the highlights this year was the focus on the spectacular celebrations of the Sharjah the Islamic Culture Capital for 2014.
The Sharjah stand celebrated the best of the Emirate's charms and attractions, presenting it as a complete holiday destination for the whole family. Brochures and leaflets and other promotional literature about Sharjah were available in Arabic and English at the stand.
Around 3,500 exhibitors, delegates and trade visitors from across the region and around the world, representing governments and leaders of the tourism and hospitality industry took part in the sixth edition of the Riyadh Travel Fair this year attracting more than 20,000 visitors.
Headed by Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, the Sharjah delegation included representatives of Hilton Sharjah, Air Arabia, Cozmo Travel and Camel Campus etc. The annual Riyadh travel exhibition has emerged as one of the leading events of the Middle East's fast growing travel and tourism industry and hospitality sector.
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