With tourism emerging as a pillar of Sharjah’s development strategy, the emirate is providing incentives to encourage businesses to harness its tourism-related strengths, while also ensuring that growth does not occur at the expense of sustainability priorities.
Natural & Cultural Relevance
In line with its commitment to sustainability, Sharjah is undertaking efforts to preserve its natural habitat. The ongoing expansion of Sharjah Safari, the largest safari project outside Africa, aims to provide an immersive wildlife experience. With more than 50,000 animals, this project, which is being overseen by the Environment and Protected Areas Authority, showcases the emirate’s dedication to wildlife conservation. The Buhais Geology Park, meanwhile, emphasises Sharjah’s geological heritage, also in support of ecotourism.
The emirate’s cultural offerings have garnered international recognition. The emirate was named the Islamic Culture Capital by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation in 2014, the Capital of Arab Tourism by the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism in 2015 and the World Book Capital by UNESCO in 2019. Sharjah is home to more than 20 museums and galleries, showcasing Middle Eastern art, culture, archaeology, heritage, science, marine life and local history. Its art scene is highlighted by the Sharjah Art Foundation, which organises the Sharjah Biennial.
Hospitality
The concept of experiential tourism has been embraced by policymakers and businesses to enhance the emirate’s natural and cultural appeal. This is particularly the case in the hospitality segment, in which operators are developing approaches to cater to visitors’ desire for a connection with the outdoors and local culture, while being respectful of conservationism.
In 2022 hotels in Sharjah welcomed more than 1.3m guests, up 16% from the previous year, with the average occupancy rate reaching 66%. Sharjah is home to 67 hotels, including 12 five-star hotels and 21 four-star hotels. Many hoteliers are striving to meet guests’ interest in authentic experiences, with some establishments located in the fully restored historical quarter, and others strategically situated across the Central and Eastern regions away from the busy city centre, allowing guests to immerse themselves in nature.
Sustainability in Action
Socially, environmentally and economically sustainable tourism seeks to respect the culture of host communities, reduce the environmental impact of visitors and achieve economic growth without negatively impacting local communities. Protecting and conserving natural environments, as well as safeguarding cultural heritage, is crucial for the tourism industry. The emphasis on environmental sustainability in the tourism industry is increasing in line with traveller preferences, as seen in Booking.com’s “2023 Sustainable Travel Research Report”. According to the results, 76% of travellers surveyed in February 2023 intended to travel more sustainably over the next 12 months, while 43% said that they would be willing to pay more for sustainable options.
Sharjah has developed an effective tourism ecosystem to satisfy the demands of environmentally conscious tourists and potential investors. One key entity is the Sharjah Sustainable City, a real estate development within the portfolio of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority that uses advanced solutions to reduce household and community-level emissions. Another player is environmental solutions company Bee’ah, which is helping make Sharjah a leader in converting waste into energy. The Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park is also helping develop the emirate’s sustainable infrastructure.
These entities, along with others, have demonstrated their success in advancing environmentally friendly solutions and addressing the challenges of developing a sustainable tourism sector. Through their efforts, Sharjah is well positioned to attract environmentally conscious travellers and promote responsible tourism, while preserving its natural and cultural heritage.
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