Sharjah Museums Department to participate in World Travel Market in London

The Sharjah Museums Department (SMD) is participating in the World Travel Market (WTM 2012) the leading global event for the travel industry, which is being held in the British capital of London from 5 to 8 November. The four-day B2B event offers SMD an excellent global platform to promote its 16 museums. 

SMD’s participation in this global extravaganza forms part of a large delegation from Sharjah, in collaboration with the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) and comes amid the festive atmosphere in the country on the occasion of the 41^st anniversary of the UAE National Day, and also in the wake of the selection of Sharjah as the Capital of Arab Tourism for Year 2015. Sharjah has won the title from among other four Arab cities as declared by the Executive Bureau of Arab Council of Arab Tourism Ministers, which was held recently in Amman. 

The honour of being named Capital of Arab Tourism for 2015 adds a new feather to the Emirate’s cap of landmark achievements as Sharjah had been declared the Capital of Arab Culture for 1998 and has been chosen as the Capital of Islamic Culture for 2014, which would not have been possible without the immense efforts by Sharjah’s various departments and institutions, including the Sharjah Museums Department. 

Speaking on the occasion, Manal Ataya, Director General of SMD, said, “Participating in such a premier international event with Sharjah holding numerous recognitions including capital of Islamic culture for 2014 and now being named the Capital of Arab Tourism for 2015 imposes greater responsibility on us to intensify our efforts to enhance the Emirate’s profile in the global arena and create special packages and offers to promote Sharjah’s various cultural offerings.” 

“SMD has promised and is committed to providing an excellent package of promotions that cover all its museums while highlighting major cultural events being organised in Sharjah for 2013,” Ataya added. 

The SMD Director General went on to comment that the Department is also planning to hold meetings and conclude deals with various tourism companies, airline companies, hotels, and tourism authorities participating in WTM 2012 to emphasize the role of its 16 museums in boosting Sharjah’s reputation as a distinguished cultural tourism destination.  

Through its participation in the World Travel Market, SMD will make the most of this leading global event which offers a unique opportunity for the Department to showcase its future projects and announce the Sharjah Classic Cars Museum and Al Hisn Museum, which will be reopening soon after extensive renovations. 

SMD will also announce special offers and facilities for tourists, including specially priced packages for tourism companies, and will unveil a grand project to link all the museums in the Emirate for tourists, to ensure the provision of the best services to Sharjah’s visitors. 

As part of its local promotion campaign, the Department has announced that entry to its all museums will be free from 25 November-31 December, except for the Sharjah Aquarium – entry to which will be free from 25 November to 3 December. This offer comes on the occasion of the 41^st anniversary of the UAE National Day and in harmony with the festive atmosphere that will envelop the country. It also aims to enrich the knowledge of the local community and tourist’s of the Emirate’s rich culture, art, heritage and history.