Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) will be taking part for the 12th consecutive year in the Arabian Travel Market 2009.

The Middle East's premier travel and tourism event is scheduled to take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from tomorrow to Friday.

The event is expected to feature more then 382 exhibitors and 23,000 visitors from 100 countries, according to a report in our sister newspaper Gulf Daily News.

Sharjah delegation will be headed by SCTDA chairman Shaikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi and will include senior representatives from SCTDA, Sharjah International Airport Authority, Sharjah Museums Department, Al Qasba, Radisson Sas Resort, Sharjah Millennium Hotel, Sharjah National Hotels (Holiday International, Marbella Resort & Oceanic Hotel & Resort), MH Group (Sharjah Carlton Hotel, Beach Hotel Sharjah, Nova Park Hotel, Golden Beach Motel), Al Khalidiah Tourism, Al Bustan Beach Hotel, Samaya Hotel Apartments and Sahara Group.

'ATM 2009 will see a substantial increase in the number of exhibitors, tourist destinations and products, and will represent an important platform for us, providing us with a unique opportunity to showcase the emirate's host of distinctive tourism products, and to promote Sharjah as a world-class tourist destination,' said Shaikh Sultan.

'The great challenges faced by the tourism sector due to the global economic crisis call for coordinated efforts and the utilisation of all capabilities to reach our targets.

'All the parties involved in the promotion of Sharjah as a unique tourist destination are working together as one team to achieve this purpose, and new markets have already been opened up through the expansion of our participation in international exhibitions.'