Tag Archives: SCTDA

Sharjah Light Festival continues to captivate residents and visitors alike celebrating its 15th edition this year, the festival has evolved into one of the region’s most anticipated visual spectacles, transforming Sharjah’s iconic landmarks into vibrant canvases of light, art and storytelling. Organised by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), the festival reflects the emirate’s commitment to creativity, heritage and community engagement, while reinforcing Sharjah’s growing appeal as a family-friendly cultural destination. Sharjah Light Festival (SLF) will take place from 3 to 15 February 2026 whilst the Sharjah Light Village (SLV) from 29 January to 22 February 2026. H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, “The annual Sharjah Light Festival has grown to become one of the most anticipated cultural events in the emirate. Each year, the festival celebrates Sharjah’s architectural brilliance, cultural heritage, and artistic expression by illuminating iconic landmarks across the emirate. This year, the festival will feature light installations on prominent buildings and landmarks across the emirate, offering visitors a visual spectacle combined with storytelling elements that reflect Sharjah’s historical, cultural, and social journeys. The exceptional displays, complemented by immersive installations and interactive zones, promise to create unforgettable experiences for visitors of all ages. What sets Sharjah Light Festival apart is the incorporation of new technologies and creative concepts that bring a fresh perspective to the experience, showcasing cutting-edge light designs while continuing the festival’s legacy of blending tradition with innovation. The festival every year expands its outreach by including new locations, ensuring more people from across the emirate can participate. Additionally, we are incorporating more family-friendly activities and programs that will enhance the overall visitor experience, further reinforcing Sharjah’s …

At a special interview with TravTalkME, at the Week of the Stars in Sharjah, HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority shared the importance of the endorsement of FIFA as the platform reaches millions worldwide and the event also boosts the hotel occupation in the emirate of Sharjah, thereby boosting the economy. HE Midfa reiterated, “It is very important that we witness the fourth edition of Week of the Stars in Sharjah under the kind patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler and Crown Prince of Sharjah. This year, we have some significant new additions. Firstly, the International Football Federation, FIFA, has endorsed our event and the matches played by 36 international football legends who are with us in Sharjah for the coming days. Additionally, the main match on 11 January will be broadcast on the FIFA Plus platform, which reaches hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide. This is another major highlight of our fourth edition. We also have the paddle tennis tournaments, which continue to grow with bigger names, more competition, and higher prize money. The football competition is also expanding. Overall, it is a full week of exciting competitions. Some matches are friendly, while others are scheduled rounds. Our priority is always to provide the best experience for our visitors, whether through sports, festivals, cultural events, or activities. Sports tourism, in particular, attracts a strong audience from both the UAE and abroad. Developing sports tourism—from the Grand Prix held a few weeks ago to this event—is a key focus for the Emirate of Sharjah and the SCTDA. Regarding stakeholders, the economic impact of hosting such events is significant. We see …

The champions of the “Grand Prix of Sharjah” have been crowned marking the conclusion of the 2025 UIM World Championship Racing season. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Chairman of the Sharjah Executive Council, the 24th edition of the event came to an end on Sunday 21st December 2025 at Khalid Lagoon. Organized by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), the race brought together 20 elite drivers from 10 international teams to compete for the season’s final title. Sheikh Mohammed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Chairman of the UAE Marine Sports Federation, alongside H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA, and Nicolo di San Germano, founder of H2O Racing, awarded the winners of the season’s final round, Road to Sharjah – Grand Prix of Sharjah. Stefan Arand, driving boat #18 for Team Sharjah, part of the Sharjah International Marine Sports Club, claimed first place. Grant Trask, driving boat #2 for Team Sweden, finished in second place, while Rusty Wyatt, driver of boat #17 for Team Sharjah, secured third place. Additionally, Sheikh Mohammed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, joined by H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa and Nicolo di San Germano, presented the Drivers’ World Championship trophies to the top three drivers of the season. Shaun Torrente, driving boat #4 for Team Victory of the Dubai International Marine Club, was crowned the 2025 World Champion. Jonas Andersson, driving boat #1 for Team Sweden, followed in second place, while Rusty Wyatt, driving boat #17 for Team Sharjah, came in third. Stefan Arand showcased an outstanding performance, dominating the second half of the …

The 12th Sharjah International Travel and Tourism Forum (SITTF) officially commenced under the theme ” New Waves of Tourism Spectrum.” His Excellency Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA in his opening speech emphasized that the tourism and travel sector is one of the most influential economic industries globally. Quoting the UN Tourism’s World Tourism Barometer report, he highlighted a 5% growth in global tourism during the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, despite existing challenges. Additionally, he noted that international tourist arrivals reached approximately 690 million between January and June 2025, representing an increase of 33 million from the previous year. Organized by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) and in strategic partnership with the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq). The opening ceremony was attended by His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Finance Department, alongside a host of prominent figures, officials, and representatives from government and private entities in the tourism sector, as well as members of the media. The event began with the UAE national anthem, followed by a visual presentation outlining the forum’s objectives and key session themes. His Excellency Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA, then delivered the opening speech, welcoming the forum’s participants and attendees. The event features global experts, creative industry leaders, and policymakers to discuss and explore the latest trends in global tourism and how modern technologies can be harnessed to improve visitor experience and promote sustainability in the industry. Al Midfa stated that Sharjah continues to advance in digital transformation and sustainable innovation within the tourism sector, aided by visionary leadership that prioritized infrastructure development and the …

Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority is preparing for its 22nd consecutive participation in the World Travel Market (WTM London 2025), taking place from 4 to 6 November 2025, in London. SCTDA will participate with a delegation of 19 government and private entities under the umbrella of the Sharjah Pavilion, showcasing the emirate’s rich cultural heritage and a range of distinctive tourism projects and destinations. Among the highlights is the Faya Palaeolandscape, which was recently added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List for its unique record of human existence in desert environments, dating back over 200,000 years. The pavilion will also feature Sharjah’s sustainable environmental destinations, such as the Wasit Nature Reserve, home to rare bird species; the Kalba Mangrove Centre, where visitors can explore nature through wooden walkways surrounded by mangrove trees; and Sir Bu Nair Island, renowned for its unique marine biodiversity. These destinations, along with others, reflect the diversity of Sharjah’s tourism offerings and its commitment to preserving nature and heritage. As one of the world’s leading travel and tourism exhibitions, the event will bring together over 4,000 exhibitors from more than 180 countries and is expected to attract over 46,000 visitors from across the globe. Through its participation this year, SCTDA aims to strengthen strategic partnerships within the global travel and tourism sector and build new bridges of collaboration with major European markets. This aligns with Sharjah’s broader strategy to keep pace with evolving global tourism trends and deliver culturally rich, sustainable experiences that meet the aspirations of travelers from around the world. The Sharjah delegation to this year’s exhibition includes several government and private entities, including: Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), Sharjah Museums Authority, Sharjah Airport Authority, Environment and …