Khalid Waleed Bin Falah Al Mansoori, Director of the International Promotion Department at the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, announced the conclusion of the emirate’s involvement in the Arabian Travel Market after four days of industry engagements. According to Al Mansoori, the authority thanked all governmental and private sector organisations for their participation and noted that the event produced beneficial outcomes through a series of productive meetings and briefings. He anticipated that future exhibitions and promotional tours would prove even more distinguished as Sharjah continues to advance its tourism initiatives.
This edition marked the SCTDA’s 29th consecutive appearance at the Arabian Travel Market, which a Travel Trade Journal report said drew buyers from 115 countries to the Dubai World Trade Centre between September 14 and 17. The authority’s newly designed Visit Sharjah pavilion featured an immersive 360-degree digital experience with interactive lighting, surround sound and dedicated storytelling spaces, Gulf Today reported. More than 30 government and private entities collaborated under the pavilion umbrella to present the latest projects in tourism, heritage, museums and environmental attractions.
Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of the SCTDA, had outlined the strategic vision driving the participation in remarks carried by Gulf Today prior to the event’s close. The chairman described the pavilion as a transformation toward a more interactive model that leverages Sharjah’s cultural, heritage and natural assets to appeal to diverse visitor segments. Al Midfa highlighted a partnership with Kalimat Group as a means to enrich content and deepen understanding of the destination for international audiences.
Cavendish Maxwell data shows Sharjah’s 102 hotels welcomed 2.1 million guests throughout 2025, reflecting a 22 percent increase from the previous year amid rising airport traffic. The consultancy’s assessment placed annual hotel revenues at AED780 million with occupancy rates averaging 78 percent and an average daily rate of AED305. Sharjah International Airport handled 19.5 million passengers in 2025, a 14 percent rise that supported hospitality demand while the facility targets 20 million annual passengers by 2027.
Event organisers reported that the Arabian Travel Market 2026 featured more than 55 destination stands and representation from airlines, hospitality providers and technology firms across the Middle East and beyond. A Breaking Travel News analysis found that Sharjah used the platform to emphasise culture and heritage as central to its tourism proposition, including developments along the East Coast and expansions in the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions sector. The broader event also hosted announcements such as the launch of the unified Visit UAE national brand and multiple airline memoranda of understanding.
Al Mansoori pointed out that every edition of the market enables Sharjah to display the latest developments in its tourism and hospitality sectors while fostering direct interaction between visiting companies and local businesses. He encouraged greater attendance at upcoming events to further bolster the industry across the emirate. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum stated during his visit to the market that Dubai welcomed around 7 million tourists and recorded 21 million hotel room nights in the first eight months of 2026, illustrating the strong regional momentum.
