UAE: Sharjah Hotels Welcome More Russian Guests In H1 2017

Sharjah’s hotel sector saw a 94 percent increase in the number of Russian guests during the first half of 2017, according to Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA).

Sharjah hotels reported a total of 106,693 Russian guests staying during the first six month of the year, compared to 54,017 guests during same period in 2016.

The increase is a welcome sign of a recovery for, what has traditionally been, one of Sharjah’s key tourism markets.

The emirate’s tourism market was hard hit by the decline of Russia’s outbound tourism in 2014/2015, due to the steepest drop in value of the Russian currency in 16 years.

Global outbound tourism from Russia fell by 15 percent in 2014, by almost 20 percent in 2015 and by 8 percent last year.

Meanwhile, Sharjah, which received 400,000 Russian hotel guests during 2014, saw the numbers of Russian hotel guests drop to 54,000 in 2015.

Confirmation of the 2016 Russian tourist numbers were revealed by SCTDA at the 23rd Leisure Moscow Fair, which took place from 19-21 September.

Russian guests accounted for 446,437 room nights in Sharjah hotels for the first half of the year, showing a 103 percent increase versus 220,396 room nights booked during the same period in 2016.

The results from the first half of this year now confirm Russia’s position as of Sharjah’s top two fasted growing inbound tourism markets.

China has, so far, proved to be the emirate’s most consistent growth market increasing from nearly 31,000 in H1 2015 to 49,000 in H1 2016 and reaching 62,000 during the first half of this year.

According to SCTDA statements, Sharjah’s hotels enjoyed a 70 percent occupancy rate from January to June this year and registered a total of 885,000 hotel guests during the period.

China, India, Oman, Russia and Saudi Arabia were the biggest inbound tourism markets for Sharjah during the first half of 2017.

Sharjah currently boasts more than 100 hotels and hotel apartments, including properties managed by some of the leading hotel groups in the world including Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, Hilton Hotels and Resorts, Louvre Hotels Group, Premier Inn Hotels, Rotana Hotels and Resorts, Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, and Wyndham Worldwide.

Some 500 new 4- and 5-star hotel rooms and suites are expected to be made available by the end of 2017, with a further 1,000 four- and five-star rooms and suites being added by the end of 2020.


Tourism Observer

UAE: Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority Launches ‘Sharjah Summer’ With 50% Discounts

Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) has launched ‘Sharjah Summer’, a two-month campaign aiming to drive entertainment, leisure, retail and tourism sales, underpinned by discounts of up to 50 percent.

It is the emirate’s first summer campaign that integrates offers from airlines, hotels, government institutions, travel agencies, shopping centres and other private sector companies.

So far, about 30 public and private sector organisations have joined the campaign, which offers visitors entertainment, events, special hotel packages and retail promotions.

In recent years, Sharjah has successfully positioned itself as a family tourism destination, a international cultural hub and an Islamic cultural centre.

Sharjah was named the Islamic Culture Capital for 2014, the Capital of Arab Tourism for 2015 and has just been named UNESCO World Book Capital for 2019.

The tourism authority expects ‘Sharjah Summer’ appeal strongly to regional markets as families consider summer travel plans and short breaks.

The hot summer months are typically less busy for the Gulf’s inbound travel and tourism sector, but nevertheless provide opportunities including local tourism, regional tourism and international travel stopovers.

Last summer, Sharjah International Airport saw a 13 percent increase in July, August and September, handling 2,996,433 passengers compared to the previous year.

Both the airport and Sharjah-headquartered budget airline Air Arabia are taking part in this year’s summer campaign.

‘Sharjah Summer’ has enlisted a variety of 4 and 5 star hotels and resorts in Sharjah city and on the emirate’s east coast, including Al Majaz Hotel, Hilton Sharjah, Hotel Holiday International, Marbella Resort Sharjah, Oceanic Khor Fakkan Resort and Spa, Radisson Blu Resort, Royal Beach Resort and Spa, Royal Tulip 72 Hotel, Royal Tulip The Act Hotel, Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort and Spa, and Swiss-Belhotel Sharjah.

Public sector organisations taking part in ‘Sharjah Summer’ include the Sharjah Government Media Bureau, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD), Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sharjah Museums Department, Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), Sharjah Art Foundation, Sajaya Young Ladies of Sharjah, and Sharjah Women Sports Foundation.

‘Sharjah Summer’ also enjoys the support of travel and tourism agencies SATA, Cozmo Travel, Orient Tours and Breeze Tours. Mega Mall and Sharjah’s largest shopping mall, Sahara Center, are participating as retail partners in the campaign.

The ‘Sharjah Summer’ campaign runs until Friday, 8 September 2017.


Tourism Observer
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