Tag Archives: Khalid Jasim Al Midfa

One of the most important MiCE events in the emirate of Sharjah, this year’s Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) opened under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member, Supreme Council and Ruler, Sharjah. Now in its 37th year, the fair has attracted visitors from across the globe and is considered as the second-largest book fair in the world. This edition will be hosting more than 20 million books from 1.6 million titles, 80,000 of which are new titles, and 1,874 publishing houses from 77 countries. The event will be curating 1800 events and featuring 472 guests from around the world with 200 book signing ceremonies for authors from 19 countries. Japan is the Guest of Honour at this year’s edition in celebration of its cultural and creative achievements. SIBF will be organising more than 100 activities comprising 13 Japanese authors and creative artists. The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) announced the launch of its interactive blog during its participation at the SIBF, with an aim to encourage visitors and residents of Sharjah to share their positive experiences in the emirate. The blog provides an ideal platform to share memorable experiences of visits to the emirate’s tourism and entertainment sites. In a move to better engage audiences, SCTDA’s blog will run a contest encouraging participants to write articles on their views and personal experiences about Sharjah in 300 to 400 words. Participants must focus on one of the three main categories – Culture and Heritage; Food and Street Food and Adventures and submissions, and it can include photos and a video. The participants should submit their entries through the official website www.visitsharjah.com for …

All over the United Arab Emirates, various programmes are being held to celebrate United nations world tourism day that falls on September 27, 2018. In light of the celebration, His Excellency Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), said, “The Authority highlights the positive impact of modern digital technologies in creating a meaningful tourism experience for our visitors. Mobile applications have facilitated and enhanced tourism activities within the emirate, allowing tourists to have easy access to services. We are continuously working with stakeholders to tap the vast potentials of the digital transformation within our various initiatives and programmes to further drive growth in the tourism sector.” Dr Layla Al Marzouqi, Director, Health Tourism Department, Dubai Health Authority, said, “The recent issuance of the Law No. (8) of 2018, ahead of the World Tourism Day on September 27, strengthens the Dubai Health Authority’s role in enabling healthcare to significantly contribute towards achieving Dubai’s tourism goals. Resonating with this year’s theme ‘Tourism and the Digital Transformation,’ the new law will enable us to accelerate the integration of latest innovations and technologies into Dubai’s healthcare sector to further enhance its competitiveness and transparency.” Keeping his focus on attracting more tourists to the emirate, Dr Cedwyn Fernandes, Director and Pro Vice-Chancellor, Middlesex University Dubai, said, “Tourism plays a huge role in the UAE’s development and growth. The latest government initiatives such as VAT refund and transit visa provisions aim to attract even more travellers to the region. We are excited about welcoming our esteemed panel for a discussion on the future of digital transformation in tourism.”

In order to explore new horizons and reach out to new markets, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) has begun its roadshow on September 24 to Far East Asian markets in collaboration with Emirates airline. These events, which will run till September 28, mark the Authority’s entry into the Indonesian, Malaysian and Singaporean markets for the first time. Underscoring its commitment to enhancing the efficiencies in the tourism sector through partnerships and collaborative efforts, the Authority has started holding meetings which will take place during these five days with various public and private entities, officials and agencies aimed at building long-lasting relationships with them. The Authority is keen to win new markets in the Far East region in line with its strategic efforts to attract more visitors by showcasing exceptional tourism offers during the roadshow, including key benefits and a wide array of tourism products in Sharjah. HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, said, “We are working on a clear plan and strategy in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member, Supreme Council and Ruler, Sharjah, to promote the tourism sector and make Sharjah a leading family destination in the world. Considering all the stakeholders in the public and private sectors and following the framework set forth in Sharjah Tourism Vision 2021, the tourism sector in the emirate has been able to hold a distinguished position on the global tourism map and has become a major engine of comprehensive development today, paving the way to new touristic key markets.”

To contribute to the ramped-up efforts in promoting Sharjah as a family tourism hub, Air Arabia and various hotels and travel agencies in the emirate have separately rolled out exclusive promotional deals during the ongoing, spectacular Sharjah Summer Festival organised by Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA). Running until the end of August this year, the Festival’s first edition was launched to boost the domestic tourism sector as well as bolster local shopping and retail activities. Tourists and visitors can grab exclusive hotel offers and price discounts in numerous popular entertainment and cultural activities during the Festival. In line with the festival, special family-themed events will be held, along with kids summer camps and cultural workshops. Additionally, hotel facilities will also be offering up to 50 per cent reductions in room rates. Air Arabia is also offering attractive offers covering its key flights and services. As for hotel establishments, Radisson Blu Hotel provides 15 per cent discounts on hotel reservations, spa, restaurants, and many other exciting recreational and leisure activities, while Sheraton Sharjah Resort and Spa offers 20 to 50 per cent discounts on hotel room bookings, wedding halls, spa rooms and restaurants. Similarly, the Oceanic Resort & Spa and Marbella Resort give up to 25 per cent discount on website bookings. “We extend our gratitude to all participating government agencies, private institutions, travel agencies, leisure facilities, and retail stores. By offering promotional offers and special discounts as part of the Festival’s celebration, they are significantly contributing to our efforts to increase tourist arrivals to the emirate and diversify our tourist activities,” said SCTDA Chairman Khalid Jasim Al Midfa.

Following the success of the Sharjah Summer Campaign last year, the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) has announced the details of the first edition of the Sharjah Summer Festival. Set to kick-start on July 11, 2018, the festival will further boost SCTDA’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the tourism sector as part of the government’s bid to attract 10 million visitors to the emirate’s shores by 2021. Organised by SCTDA in cooperation with entities from the government and private sector, the festival will run a series of entertainment and cultural activities to promote local tourism and highlight the emirate’s cultural and tourist attractions and diversified recreational facilities during the summer season. In addition, the festival seeks to attract residents and visitors through its creative marketing campaigns and various promotions to boost Sharjah’s world-class status as one of the great destinations for family holidays. H E Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman, SCTDA said, “The festival will promote Sharjah’s tourism, cultural and amusing events, revitalise several tourism campaigns; and diversify its leisure activities to attract international visitors. It is also part of our strategy to underline our attractions to the GCC market which remains one of our largest source markets.” According to Midfa, the event is going to play a major role in transforming Sharjah into an important center of culture, heritage and arts in the region.

In line with its efforts to promote Sharjah’s tourism and hospitality offerings among Kazakh tourists, the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) will lead a high-level delegation from the emirate of Sharjah at the Kazakhstan International Tourism and Travel Fair (KITF 2018). The event is scheduled to be held in the Kazakh city of Almaty from April 18 to 20 at the Almaty International Exhibition Centre. SCTDA’s participation will thus facilitate the achievement of Sharjah Tourism Vision 2021, which aims to attract 10 million visitors to the emirate by 2021. HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, emphasised on the importance of the authority’s participation in the Kazakhstan International Tourism and Travel Fair, as it reflects the commitment of HH Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to make the emirate the ideal family destination. He added that the participation coincides with the recent decision to exempt Kazakh tourists from pre-entry visa requirements to enter the UAE. Al Midfa commented, “SCTDA’s marketing plans are designed to meet the current and the future requirements of the emirate’s tourism and commercial sectors. Our participation in KITF 2018 highlights Sharjah’s unique tourist attractions that make it one of the best tourist destinations that cater to tourists seeking to explore heritage, science, culture and the arts.”

The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) is all set for its 19th participation at the Moscow International Travel and Tourism Exhibition (MITT) in a bid to promote Sharjah’s top tourist spots, attract more international visitors, and join the world’s leading tourism and hospitality events. Running from March 13 to 15, 2018, the 25th edition of MITT will provide SCTDA with a global platform to highlight the emirate’s promotional plans to enhance its position as a leading family tourist destination and attract 10 million tourists by 2021 based on the objective of Sharjah Tourism Vision 2021. SCTDA’s presence in the exhibition signifies its full commitment to collaborate with industry pioneers and investors from Europe and 80 other top-notch international touristic destinations. H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman, SCTDA, will lead the participating delegates. Commenting on the participation, Al Midfa said, “In 2017, local hotels welcomed a total of 266,086 Russian guests compared with 112,171 visitors received in 2016. The numbers represented an impressive growth rate of 137 per cent. Our 19th participation in MITT is another opportunity to enhance the emirate’s presence in Russia, one of Sharjah’s largest source markets.”

The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) is all set to showcase Sharjah’s latest major tourism projects and infrastructure developments during its 21st participation at ITB Berlin 2018, to be held from March 7 to 11. H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman, SCTDA, who will attend the five-day event, is set to lead the delegation. High-level representatives from 12 government and private organisations will also join the SCTDA team to put the spotlight on their world-class tourism and cultural services and initiatives. The participating government institutions will consist of Knowledge without Borders, Expo Centre Sharjah, The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), The Sharjah Museums Authority and Sharjah International Airport. The private companies will comprise Oceanic Khorfakkan Resort & Spa, Ramada Hotel & Suites Sharjah, Radisson Blu Resort, Sharjah, Sharjah Airport Travel Agency,  Al Rais Tours & Holidays, and Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort & Spa. H.E. Al Midfa said, “ITB Berlin is a strategic opportunity for us at SCTDA to put Sharjah on the international tourism and business maps in line with the government’s economic development agenda. Germany and other major European nations are important markets for Sharjah. As such, we consistently roll out relevant initiatives catering to European visitors to further strengthen our relations as well as form new mutually beneficial agreements.”

A.A. Al Moosa Enterprises LLC welcomed the opening of the four-star Ramada Hotel & Suites Sharjah, an addition to the growing number of  mid-market properties in the UAE. In support of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah’s vision to increase investments in the Emirate, the new Ramada Hotel & Suites Sharjah was inaugurated in the presence of HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority. The event was attended by Faisal Al Moosa, representing AA Al Moosa Enterprises, owner of the Ramada Hotel & Suites Sharjah, dignitaries, VIPs, corporate guests and the media. The hotel is managed by Wyndham Hotel Group. The property which is previously known as the Ramada Sharjah has recently undergone extensive renovations and upgrade. The hotel now features 343 rooms and suites that will cater to all kinds of business and leisure travellers.

The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) attended the 4th South Asia Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE), South Asia’s leading travel trade show, in New Delhi, India where they showcased the emirate’s best tourist  spots, popular leisure activities and unique culture and traditions. SATTE was held from January 31 to February 2, 2018 at Pragati Maidan and saw over 12,000 visitors worldwide. H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman, SCTDA, said, “India is undisputedly one of the largest key markets for the tourism and travel industry around the world. In fact, 138,000 Indian guests stayed in Sharjah hotel establishments during 2017. As the South Asian nation is one of our priority markets, this year’s SATTE is an opportunity to encourage more Indian tourists to explore Sharjah’s beauty. We also hope to utilise SATTE’s popularity to enhance the emirate’s brand in major markets worldwide as well as achieve growth in terms of the number of international tourist arrivals in the coming years.” Over the last two decades, SATTE has become the launch platform for many countries from across the globe to conduct business in and with India. SATTE has been working closely with the Ministry of Tourism, the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), among many other leading associations.