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Sharjah reports 70pc hotel occupancy in first quarter

According to the latest statistical report released by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), the number of guests staying in the emirate’s hotels increased from 368,309 in 2009 to 401,647 this year, proving the resilience of the emirate’s tourism sector despite the impacts of the global financial downturn that shattered tourism markets across the world.

The authority issued the detailed statistics for the emirate’s tourism sector performance for the first quarter of 2010 on the sidelines of its participation in the Arabian Travel Market, currently being held in Dubai.

The report showed that the total number of hotels and hotel apartments in Sharjah rose to 109 (41 hotels and 68 hotel apartments) in the first quarter of 2010, compared to 103 (37 hotels and 66 hotel apartments) in the corresponding period in 2009.

The increase in the number of hotels and hotel apartments raised the number of available hotel rooms, which rose to 8,393 in 2010 (4,275 hotel rooms and 4,118 hotel apartment rooms), a remarkable increase from the 7,647 rooms (3,869 hotel rooms and 3,751 hotel apartment rooms) that were available in 2009.

According to the SCTDA statistics, a total of 200,952 tourists stayed in the emirate’s hotels during 2010 first quarter, compared to 194,149 in 2009, while the number of tourists who stayed in hotel apartments increased from 174,160 to 200,695.

The figures also show that the total number of occupied room nights in Sharjah’s hotel establishments rose to 414,700 nights in 2010, with hotel room nights accounting for 213,104, and hotel apartment room nights totalling 197,846 nights, compared to the 385,567 occupied room nights in 2009, with hotel room nights accounting for 213,135 nights, and hotel apartment room nights totalling 176,389 nights.

Europeans top

European tourists, who accounted for 42 per cent of the total tourists visiting Sharjah in the period under review, came first in terms of tourist flow into the emirate, while GCC citizens, who accounted for 23 per cent came second, followed by Asian tourists (19 per cent), tourists from other Arab countries (11 per cent), and tourists from Commonwealth countries, Africa, US and the Pacific region (six per cent).

Commenting on these figures, SCTDA Chairman Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi said the statistics show the vibrancy and resilience of the emirate’s tourism sector, and its ability to maintain its previous achievements while pressing ahead with well-studied plans for the future to further increase the tourist flow into Sharjah.

“The SCTDA is working according to a clear strategy to develop Sharjah’s tourism sector by targeting international markets and organising events and activities that promote the emirate, such as tourism fairs, trade fairs and promotion tours. These statistics reflect the changes that are occurring in Sharjah’s tourism sector, and the positive outcome of our efforts throughout the year,” Al Qassimi said.

About the authority’s activities, Al Qassimi said: “The SCTDA has worked extremely hard during the first half of 2010 as we have stepped up our efforts to target the local, regional and international tourism markets so as to meet the needs of Sharjah’s fast-growing and flourishing tourism sector.

“We will continue our endeavours to cope with the latest developments and to further promote Sharjah as a favourable tourist destination and world-class family, heritage and culture centre,” he added.

The SCTDA made a strong and distinguished appearance for Sharjah at a number of international platforms during the first quarter of 2010, including its participation at the International Tourism Bourse Berlin. It also succeeded in organising, hosting and sponsoring a number of major local and international events, such as the Sharjah Heritage Days.

One of the big upcoming events on the SCTDA calendar is the Sharjah Lights Festival 2011, which will be one of the most prestigious events to be held in Sharjah next year. The lights festival will promote Sharjah’s cultural, archaeological and heritage landmarks, as well as its unique and marvellous Islamic architecture, through a series of light shows and music-light displays that will highlight the emirate’s distinguished tourist assets in the best possible manner. 
— business@khaleejtimes.com