SMD concludes deals with tourism and travel agencies of its participation at 19th Moscow International Exhibition Travel & Tourism

Sharjah Museums Department (SMD) has made a remarkable success during its first participation at the 19th Moscow International Travel and Tourism (MITT) Exhibition 2012, which began on Wednesday, 21 March, and will conclude later today, 24 March.

SMD has participated in Russia’s major tourism and travel event under the umbrella of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), and along with many other government bodies and private travel and tourism agencies which represent the emirate’s tourism industry.

The Museums Department seized the opportunity to highlight its various activities and promote its museums through its participation in this major global business to business platform which brought together more than 3,000 exhibitors representing 185 tourist destinations from all over the world.

The four-day event provided an important opportunity for SMD to promote its iconic heritage locations & the 17 museums and their related activities and events in the Russian market, especially after statistics demonstrate the growing number of Russian visitors.

The department’s successful participation was manifested in attracting tourists from all around the world as a result of SMD's efforts in enhancing people’s awareness about the importance of Sharjah and its already recognized reputation on the cultural, heritage and tourism arenas.

Speaking on the occasion, Manal Ataya, Director General of Sharjah Museums Department, said: “The emirate of Sharjah is considered one of the world’s most important cities for its rich, unique and diverse cultural heritage, as well as for its landmark cultural and tourist attractions, which qualified it to be recognized as the capital of the Arab culture 1998 and the 2014 capital of Islamic culture.”

“Sharjah’s rich portfolio of achievements and successes gives us a greater responsibility to maintain this longstanding reputation and adopt the new development strategies to continue to enrich the emirate’s robust cultural tourism sector,” she said.

Ataya added that SMD always strives through its participation in such events to highlight heritage sites, its diverse museum offerings integrated within cultural tourist packages that help tourists and their families enjoy and experience the best of Sharjah.

It is worth mentioning also that SMD has participated this year in other international exhibitions such as ITB Berlin, and will participate as well at World Travel Market 2012 (WTM), which will be held in London, Beijing International Tourism Expo & Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which will be held in Dubai.