Sharjah Museums Department participates in Travel and Tourism Exhibitions in China third time in a row

Sharjah Museums Department (SMD) headed to Beijing, China to participate in the China Outbound Travel and Tourism Market (COTTM) held at the National Agricultural Exhibition Center. This participation marks the third time SMD has taken part in a tourism exhibition in China, and the first time in this particular exhibition. The event took place from the 9th to 11th of April. 

The Department sought participation to promote Sharjah's 16 museums listed under its umbrella and provided comprehensive presentations, photos and videos. 

Representatives from SMD met with various companies working within the tourism sector in China, aiming to sign tourism agreements in order to increase the number of Chinese tourists in Sharjah. 

SMD’s participation in the exhibition aimed to increase its presence and implement the latest developments taking place in the international tourism sector, locally. 

During the participation, the SMD delegation highlighted important milestones in addition to tourist, historical and cultural destinations in the region in order to share knowledge about these destinations and the mechanisms of how to manage and promote them. 

Manal Ataya, Director General of Sharjah Museums Department, commented on the visit saying “At Sharjah Museums Department we are working to intensify the promotional efforts during this year of SICC 2014 to promote the Emirate of Sharjah in general and the Sharjah Museums in particular. The Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization is set to receive 16,000 Chinese visitors in several groups including top dignitaries, leaders of tourism and hospitality industry, a number of eminent journalists, intellectuals and regular tourists over a ten day period this April, which is an astounding figure. Our goal is to receive 100 thousand Chinese visitors among the various museums of the Emirate by the end of 2014.” 

Ataya added “The Chinese market is one of the largest and strongest markets in the Asian region, and tops our priorities for being the gate of East Asia. We have lately seen huge interest by Chinese tourists and visitors for UAE, and especially the Emirate of Sharjah as they seek culture and attractions as part of their holiday to the region. 

The participation of Sharjah Museums Department in the China Outbound Travel and Tourism Market comes in conjunction with the celebration of Sharjah as the Capital of Islamic Culture for 2014, whereas SMD have organised a number of high-profile exhibitions throughout 2014 to celebrate this title. 

This is in addition to the large number of events that mark the annual calendar for the various cultural, artistic and heritage programmes throughout the SMD’s 16 museums.