UAE is hot and happening!

Ahuge lineup of events related to the Holy Month of Ramadan and a fun-filled calendar of activities and promotions for the summer season have kept the tourism mood upbeat in the Gulf region.

Interestingly, there was a 75 per cent surge in Chinese tourist numbers during the first four months of 2015, which resulted in higher guest arrivals in the UAE capital, as per WAM agency.

During January to April, Abu Dhabi attracted more than one million guests who stayed at least one night at the 161 hotels in the emirate. In Dubai, the stage has been set for the 18th edition of Summer Surprises, DSS, which kicked off on July 23 with a series of events packed with celebrity shows, world premieres and retail promotions.The emirate is already abuzz with Ramadan activities. About 40,000 visitors flocked to the Ramadan Night Market in the first four days since it opened at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Under the slogan, ‘ 45 Days of Summer,’ DSS 2015 is offering residents and visitors from around the world an opportunity to enjoy a diverse range of events. International celebrity appearances, world premieres featuring children’s cartoon characters, and summer promotions that reward shoppers with millions of dirhams worth of prizes are among the varied attractions for travellers.

The cruise sector is making waves too. National airline Etihad Airways and MSC Cruises have signed a new partnership agreement that will benefit MSC Cruises’ guests travelling to Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

In Sharjah, innovative ideas are being initiated to benefit tourists. The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, SCTDA, has announced the distribution of Interactive Touch Screens, ITS, in all four- and five-star hotels and luxury hotel apartments in the Emirate, activating its ‘Innovative Tourism Approach.’

The idea comes as part of the Sharjah Tourism Vision 2021 that aims to attract 10 million tourists by 2021.The sun shines bright this summer, so does the tourism sector!