Sharjah wins MENA Travel Awards in two categories

SHARJAH- The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority has added more feathers to its cap by winning the prestigious MENA Travel Awards 2014 in two categories.

The Authority won the MENA Gold Award in the Best Government Tourism Entity category, and HE Mohamed Ali Al Noman, Chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority received the Award for the Best Vision for the Future at a glamorous ceremony in Dubai held under the auspices of the National Council for Tourism and Antiquity.

Efforts and achievements

The Authority won the MENA Awards for its outstanding performance in the travel and tourism industry. The award was selected against criteria set by the MENA Travel and Tourism Awards Committee, this included the rate of growth in the number of visitors and tourists during Year 2013 as well as other bench marking of achievements and successes. The votes were collected by an on line voting system which is audited by Price Waterhouse.

The work by the Authority over the last five years is finally showing its effect in international recognition for the Emirate in general and the tourism industry more specifically. SCTDA has picked up a number of international awards through its participation in major international tourism and trade exhibitions as well as the world recognized status of Islamic Culture Capital this year and Arab Tourism Capital next year.

The Award also took into account the successful festivals and events hosted in the Emirate, including the Sharjah Light Festival and Sharjah Water Festival targeting families and tourists. As well as the Authorities support and sponsorship of a range of local events and meetings that develop and encourage excellence and boost competencies of industry partners.

Vision for the future

SCTDA Chairman HE Mohamed Ali Al Noman received the MENA Award for the Best Vision for the Future in recognition of his service, future plans and effective strategies for the development and growth of the tourism sector in the Emirate. The Award recognised his contribution to the success of the Authority over the past 15 years and his various initiatives and plans to promote Sharjah and its tourism product at the local, regional and global levels .

In his comments on the occasion, Al Noman stressed that the MENA Awards recognition is the result of the whole Authority’s efforts in cooperation with various government and private sector players working in the tourism sector in the emirate, which translate the vision and wise leadership of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

Al Noman said the Awards are a testament to the distinct tourism product of Sharjah and the world-class infrastructure and services offered by the Emirate according to highest international standards.

He said that Sharjah has always strived to provide the best experiences and services to its visitors, and would continue to raise the bar in the future. Sharjah may enjoy a reputation for culture, heritage and families suggesting that we sit in the past. In fact we were the leaders and innovators of this market in the region he added.

Successful Completion of ATM

Today Sharjah successfully wraps up its participation in the Arabian Travel Market 2014 held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 5 to 8. It was the Emirate’s 17^th year of participation in the prestigious exhibition. The SCTDA was joined by more than 15 government agencies and private sector players of the tourism and hospitality sectors at the Dubai exhibition.

The much commented upon Sharjah pavilion this year celebrated the theme of Sharjah Islamic Culture Capital for 2014 and attracted a host of high-profile visitors, investors and industry leaders from across the country and around the world including Sheikha Boudour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority, (Shurooq), Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Chairman, Ajman Tourism Department, Sheikh Rashid Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Chairman, Ajman Municipality , HE Khalaf Ahmed Al Habtoor, Chairman of Al Habtoor Group and others.

Malaysian Tourism and Culture Minister HE Mohammad Nazri Abdul Aziz and Namibia Tourism Board CEO Mr Digu Naobeb were among the foreign delegates visiting the Sharjah pavilion at ATM. Al Noman also received a high level delegation of the Arab Tourism Organisation of the Arab League, led by its Chairman Dr. Bandar bin Fahd Al Faheid.

The two sides discussed ways of bolstering bilateral cooperation and the ongoing preparations for the crowning of Sharjah as the Capital of Arab Tourism for 2015.