UAE emirate Sharjah was recently awarded the Capital of Arab Tourism 2015 title during the opening ceremony of the Sharjah Light Festival.

The title, for which Sharjah was nominated in 2012, stands as a testament to the emirate’s efforts in positively promoting Arab tourism destinations in international markets as well as in the GCC.

Dr Bandar bin Fahd Al Fahid, president of Arab Tourism Organisation, presented the prestigious title to representatives of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), which aims to utilise this achievement to further strengthen Sharjah’s position on the tourism map of the region.

Organised by the SCTDA, the fifth edition of Sharjah’s Light Festival welcomed thousands of visitors from different GCC countries during the nine day event which concluded on February 13.

During the event, landmark buildings in Sharjah were transformed into stunning pieces of art as brilliant shows of light highlighted their exquisite architectural features. The shows which blended tradition and modernity highlighted the cultural aspects of the different areas of the emirate using 2D and 3D animation, including graphics and calligraphy designs.

The festival covered 14 locations in Sharjah, including Al Qasba’s external and internal facades, Al Majaz Waterfront, Cultural Square, Masjid Al Noor and Central Souk, among others.

This year, the SCTDA will work on establishing a wide range of special workshops and events, designed to promote the tourism sector and raise the efficiency of its employees in all areas. – TradeArabia News Service