Tourism & Culture

Sharjah is a key regional destination for family and cultural tourism, attracting visitors particularly from the Gulf, Europe and Asia, and the industry is a substantial contributor to the local economy. Restaurants and hotels contributed Dh2.78bn ($756.7m) to the economy in 2015, up from Dh2.49bn ($677.8m) the previous year, reaching 3.2% of the emirate’s GDP. Sharjah is working to further expand the sector through a wide range of development projects, including efforts to develop niches such as resort, heritage, nature and adventure tourism in both Sharjah city and its environs, as well as the eastern parts of the emirate and Sir Bu Nuair Island.

This chapter contains interviews with Marwan Al Sarkal, CEO, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq); and Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority.