Sharjah's hotel industry grew substantially in the first quarter of 2008 as compared to the corresponding period a year ago as the number of guests surged to 421,898 against 377,306 guests and the overall occupancy in the emirate's hotels and hotel apartments was 80 percent compared to 77 percent in the period under review. Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) statistics on the emirate's tourism sector issued on the sidelines of the SCTDA's participation in Arabian Travel Market 2008, showed that number of hotels and hotel apartments in the emirate has increased to 96 hotel premises during first quarter of 2007, 33 hotels and 63 hotel apartments, as compared to 74 hotel premises, 24 hotels and 50 hotel apartments, in the same period a year ago. Accordingly, the number of hotel rooms increased to 3,721 from 3,237 in the period under review, while the number of hotel apartment rooms rose to 3,238 compared to 2,843. The total number of hotel and hotel apartment rooms rose to 6,959 rooms, up from the 6,080 rooms in first quarter of 2007. The number of guests surged to 421,898 against 377,306 guests during the first quarter of 2007. The number of hotel and hotel apartment guests climbed to 224,501 and 197,397, respectively, against 204,101 and 173,205 recorded in the same period last year. The total number of occupied room nights rose to 399,443, in first quarter of 2008. This figure includes 241,095 for hotels, and 158.348 for the hotel apartments, compared to 387,381in first quarter of 2007, in which 229,050 where for hotels, and 158.332 for hotel apartments. The SCTDA further said that European tourists accounted for 39 percent of the total tourist influx into the emirate in first quarter of 2008. GCC tourists came second with 23 percent, and Asian tourists accounted for 23 percent, while 21 percent came from various other Arab countries. Asian tourists recorded 16 percent and Commonwealth, American, African and Pacific tourists made up the remaining 4 percent. SCTDA's Director General Mohamed A. Al-Noman said “this increase in the number of hotel premises in the emirate and the rise in their occupancy rate indicate clearly a year of excellent performance as it is apparent from the figures of first quarter.” He added: “In the meantime, the authority is working according to a clear strategy to develop the tourism sector of Sharjah by targeting international markets, and organizing events and activities that further promote the emirate through tourism, trade fairs and promotional tours. The statistics reflect the changes occurring in the tourism sector in Sharjah, and the positive outcome of our efforts throughout the year.” “No doubt that SCDTA has witnessed a remarkable growth during first quarter of 2008, where the authority targeted the local, regional and international tourism markets in order to address the needs of the tourism sector in the emirate. Yet despite the marked improvement that we experiencing, we will continue our endeavors to maintain the current levels of success, and to further promote Sharjah as a favorable tourist destination and world family, heritage and culture center,” he said. “Following strong and distinguished participations for Sharjah in a large number of international platforms, the SCTDA has been keen during the first quarter of 2008 to organize such world class activities as the Formula 2000 President Cup Powerboat Championship UIM and to take part in high profile events such as Sharjah Heritage Days. __
