Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) was named the second best exhibitor from the Middle East at ITB Berlin 2016, which concluded in the German capital on March 13.

SCTDA participated in the event for the 19th consecutive year as the leading travel and trade exhibition celebrated its 50 session this year.

The Sharjah stand at ITB Berlin drew significant attention from decision makers, tour operators and representatives of international destinations as it showcased the emirate’s new tourism products, especially those related to cultural tourism.

The Sharjah delegation to ITB Berlin, led by SCTDA, included for the first time Knowledge without Borders and Sharjah Institute of Heritage, as well as SATA, Cozmo; Shurooq, Sharjah Healthcare City, Sharjah Museums, and Sharjah International Airport, among others.

During the exhibition, SCTDA led high-level meetings with senior decision-makers in the German, European and global tourism field. Sharjah’s participation also included a number of activities that highlighted the cultural identity and heritage of the emirate.

The ITB exhibition offered SCTDA a major platform to promote Sharjah’s distinct family destinations, particularly the recently launched Al Noor Island, and its eco-tourism initiative, the Mleiha archaeological project. The authority also showcased its innovative solutions, including mobile apps and interactive touchscreens, which have contributed to improving the experience of tourists in the emirate.

More than 185 countries from around the world participated in ITB Berlin this year. The exhibition, held over an area of 160,000-sq-m, brought together 10,000 exhibitors, and attracted 23,000 trade visitors as well as 50,000 regular visitors. - TradeArabia News Service