SCTDA reveals Sharjah received around 1.6m hotel guests in 2024
The authority shares key statistics for Sharjah's tourism sector in 2024, noting that Russian guests ranked first with over 270,000 guests, representing an 18% increase compared to 2023.
Dubai: Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) announced that Sharjah attracted approximately 1.6 million hotel guests in 2024, reflecting an 11% increase compared to 2023. This growth highlights the continuous development of the tourism sector in Sharjah. The announcement was made during a press conference held on Wednesday with the participation of SCTDA alongside more than 25 government and private entities at the 'Sharjah Pavilion' during Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which runs from April 28 to May 1 at Dubai World Trade Centre.
The authority revealed key statistics for Sharjah's tourism sector in 2024, noting that Russian guests ranked first with over 270,000 guests, representing an 18% increase compared to 2023. Indian guests came second with over 170,000 guests, marking a 6% rise compared to 2023. European guests saw a 16% increase compared to 2023, reaching over 100,000 guests, while Chinese guests surged to over 60,000 guests, an exceptional increase of 828% compared to 2023.
Among Arab countries, Oman topped the list of hotel guests in Sharjah, accounting for 6% of total guests in 2024, followed by Saudi Arabia at 5%, Egypt at 4%, and Syria and Iraq at 3% each.
Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA, highlighted the latest developments from the authority, including the official launch of Sharjah's new tourism brand campaign 'Visit Sharjah.' The campaign focuses on showcasing Sharjah's diverse tourist destinations, blending heritage, adventure, natural beauty, and modern experiences. It emphasizes the emirate's ability to offer varied experiences catering to different types of travellers who are seeking adventure, tranquillity, family entertainment, or cultural immersion. The campaign also spotlights major events such as the Sharjah Light Festival and other annual highlights that create memorable moments of connection and wonder for visitors. Commenting on the 2024 tourism results,
Khalid Jasim Al Midfa stated that Sharjah continues to witness consistent growth in the tourism and travel sector year after year, driven by the wise vision of its leadership. He said, 'These positive figures achieved by Sharjah in 2024 reaffirm the emirate's growing status as a distinguished global tourism destination that blends authenticity with modernity. The remarkable 11% growth in hotel guest numbers reflect the strategic efforts undertaken by SCTDA to enhance Sharjah's appeal and develop the tourism sector in line with the emirate's future vision under the leadership of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.' He added, 'We remain committed to further strengthening Sharjah's position as a global hub for sustainable and cultural tourism. We will continue investing in the development of tourism infrastructure and diversifying products and services to meet the needs of visitors from around the world and enrich their experience in the emirate. Innovation and sustainability are the two fundamental pillars driving growth in the tourism sector, contributing to Sharjah's economic and social development and enhancing its competitiveness on the international stage.'
Sharjah Pavilion: Showcasing the Emirate's Rich Diversity and Natural Beauty During its participation in ATM 2025, the Sharjah Pavilion offered interactive and virtual experiences employing cutting-edge digital technologies to introduce visitors to the emirate's history, present, and aspirations, as well as its exceptional destinations and iconic landmarks that embody cultural depth, diversity, and natural richness.
Visitors enjoyed a variety of virtual experiences that allowed them to explore Sharjah up close. These included virtual safari ride provided by the Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA). The safari showcased different environments within the destination and the animals and birds inhabiting them.
In sports-related activities, the Sharjah International Marine Sports Club displayed one of the Formula 1 speedboats from Team Sharjah, along with a virtual kayaking experience that allowed visitors to explore Sharjah through the sport of paddling. For classic car enthusiasts, the Sharjah Classic Cars Club offered visitors the chance to learn about the history of vintage cars in the emirate and explore museum collections through virtual reality. Additionally, the Sharjah Museums Authority provided virtual tours of Sharjah's museums.
Meanwhile, as the UAE and Mexico mark 50 years of diplomatic relations in 2025, the Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah) and the Mexican Business Council convened the 'Sharjah-Mexico Business Roundtable' at the House of Wisdom to identify strategic growth opportunities in SME financing, logistics, real estate, and automotive manufacturing; and explore the vast investment and commercial prospects Sharjah offers to businesses in Mexico and the wider Latin American and Caribbean markets.
Attended by Luis Alfonso de Alba, Ambassador of Mexico to the UAE; Mohamed Al Musharrkh, CEO of Invest in Sharjah; Rafael Villalona, President of the Mexican Business Council; and leading investors and entrepreneurs from both countries, the event underscored a shared vision for innovation-driven partnerships.
As part of the agenda, a dedicated panel discussion titled 'Why Sharjah? Opportunities Beyond Borders' was held, during which participants examined Sharjah's competitive advantages, sectoral growth opportunities, and regulatory reforms, reaffirming a shared commitment to innovation, sustainable growth, and cross-regional investment.
In his keynote address, Luis Alfonso de Alba, highlighted the significance of the roundtable as a precursor to the golden jubilee of bilateral relations. 'Sharjah has played a key role in strengthening the relationship between Mexico and the UAE,' he stated, citing Sharjah's participation as the guest of honour at the 2022 Guadalajara International Book Fair as a cultural milestone. 'This event we are having today signals the great potential to expand commercial ties between Sharjah and Mexico. I am certain this is only the beginning of a fruitful mutual relationship, potential is huge and the time is right.' Mohamed Al Musharrkh, echoed this optimism recalling his visit to the Central-American region, saying, 'I had the honour of being part of the UAE's official delegation to Mexico in 2018-2019, led by the Ministry of Economy, and our mission aimed to strengthen bilateral relations and explore avenues for economic cooperation.' Al Musharrkh also emphasised Sharjah's growing appeal to Mexican businesses, noting that the emirate hosts over 45 Mexican companies and imported goods worth 7 million dirhams from Mexico in 2024. 'Sharjah and Mexico may be miles apart, but our ambitions are aligned. We share a belief in innovation, entrepreneurship, and the power of collaboration to create lasting impact.' Rafael Villalona, started by noting the Council's first anniversary in the coming weeks and outlined the growth of Mexican enterprise in the country, stating, 'UAE-Mexico bilateral trade has doubled in recent years, reaching $2.5 billion in 2023, and revenues from CEMEX in the UAE alone have also risen from $70.1 million to over $180 million, while creating over 700 jobs.'
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