Sharjah’s tourism sector experienced significant growth in the first eight months of 2024, with hotel guest numbers rising by 3.07 per cent compared to the previous year. A total of 1.057 million guests stayed in hotels in Sharjah, up from 1.025 million during the same period in 2023, while hotel occupancy rates remained steady at 66 per cent. These figures were revealed at the annual ‘Connected Meeting’ hosted by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) at the Sharjah Research, Technology, and Innovation Park.
Key industry players attended the meeting, where it was highlighted that Russia emerged as the top source market for Sharjah in the first eight months of 2024, contributing 21 per cent of hotel guests, equivalent to around 160,000 visitors. Other major markets included the UAE (11 per cent), India (10 per cent), and Oman (6 per cent). The SCTDA also discussed recent developments in Sharjah’s tourism industry and ongoing efforts to enhance tourism services and improve the visitor experience.
Looking ahead, the SCTDA emphasized the importance of strengthening strategic partnerships, both locally and internationally, and announced plans for collaborative marketing campaigns to further boost the tourism sector. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, chairman of the SCTDA, stated, “Sharjah has ambitious plans to enhance the tourism sector, which already contributes over 11% to the UAE’s non-oil GDP. The emirate’s efforts include major infrastructure investments, the expansion of Sharjah International Airport, and the organization of year-round tourism events and activities to elevate service quality and establish Sharjah as a premier global tourist destination.”
In conclusion, Sharjah’s tourism sector has shown promising growth in 2024, with an increase in hotel guest numbers and steady occupancy rates. Key source markets include Russia, the UAE, India, and Oman. The SCTDA is focused on enhancing the tourism industry through strategic partnerships and marketing campaigns to further boost the sector. With ambitious plans, including infrastructure investments and tourism events, Sharjah aims to solidify its position as a top global tourist destination. Stay connected for more updates on Sharjah’s tourism industry.
