The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority has invited and hosted a number of international teams representing media, tourism and hospitality sectors to witness and be part of the fifth Sharjah Light Festival and Sharjah Arab Tourism Capital 2015 celebrations. It was a rare opportunity and special occasion for the international media and industry partners to see Sharjah in all its resplendent glory as the various SLF shows and performances across the emirate brought out the beauty of the emirates celebrated buildings, landmarks and monuments and shined the light on the culture, heritage and tourism product that earned it the title of the Arab Tourism Capital for 2015.

The first delegations to arrive in Sharjah in cooperation with Air Arabia were from Armenia and India on February 3, well before the opening ceremony of the SLF 2015 and the Sharjah Arab Tourism Capital 2015 celebrations. The second delegation included 54 people from the tourism and hospitality industry in the United Kingdom and Germany. They were joined by another team of 10 professionals representing the industry partners from the Philippines in cooperation with Qatar Airways.

On February 11, a strong delegation of 23 professionals from Chinas fast growing tourism and hospitality industry also visited Sharjah as guests of the Emirate during the special Sharjah Light Festival activities. The Chinese delegation will enjoy visiting other Sharjah experiences, including its tourism and heritage sites and attractions. This group will be here until February 16 during which time they will also attend the gala dinner and closing ceremony of the Sharjah Light Festival.

The SCTDA organised special familiarization trips and tours for its international guests, offering the visitors an overview of Sharjahs popular tourist attractions, landmarks and heritage sites including the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, Sharjah Aquarium and Maritime Museum, Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club, Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club, Heritage Areas, the Heart of Sharjah area and the University City. Besides, they visited the popular family leisure destinations like Al Qasba and Al Majaz Waterfront.

The Authority also organised a Sharjah desert safari for the guests offering them a slice of traditional Arabian hospitality, culture and life in the desert where the visitors were invited to enjoy a variety of recreational activities such as camel rides and henna painting. They also visited a heritage house in the city of Khorfakkan and got a peek into the customs and traditions of the UAE, Emirati cuisine, traditional dress and jewelry.

As part of the SCTDAs efforts to promote the tourism and hotel industry in the emirate, a series of meetings were held with the visiting delegations. The Authority also arranged meetings between leading hotel management in Sharjah with the visiting delegations from various countries, in order to promote tourism cooperation and exchange experience and expertise.

The two sides discussed new international standards and services being offered by the hotel industry and entered into agreements for future cooperation and tourism exchange between Sharjah and their respective countries, especially during major international festivals such as the Sharjah Light Festival.

The Sharjah Light Festival this year celebrates the Sharjah Arab Tourism Capital for 2015 Award, offering a diverse range of special shows from 14 locations including its celebrated monuments, mosques and prominent buildings.

The SLF locations include Al Majaz Amphitheatre, Masjid Al Nour, Al Majaz Waterfront, Masjid Al Taqwa at Al Majaz Waterfront, the Central Souk, Al Qasba External and Internal Facades, the Khalid Lagoon Corniche Light Show, Khalid Lagoon Giraffes Parade and a number of sites on the East Coast in Khorfakkan, Kalba, Dibba al Hisn cities and the city of Dhaid in the Central Region. The Sharjah Light Festival will run until February 13 with shows being held from 6 to 11pm on weekdays and until midnight during the weekend.

The Sharjah Light Festival offers a dazzling mix of shows and art works combining the latest lighting technology, creativity and innovation by international artists specifically created for Sharjahs buildings, landmarks and monuments. The special shows bring out the distinct beauty and grandeur of Sharjahs Arab and Islamic architecture and emphasises its role as a leading global tourist destination ideally suited for hosting international events and festivals such as the Sharjah Light Festival.