About Us

“It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority website. I hope you will enjoy its interactive features and find that it truly reflects the image of our beautiful emirate. The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority has been at the forefront of celebrating, promoting and showcasing Sharjah, the home of Arab and Islamic Culture, as a safe family destination with a difference. In the past few years Sharjah has gone from strength to strength, making huge strides on all fronts – from remarkable economic progress to leaps in education, infrastructural development and art and culture.

Since its inception in 1996, the Authority has been devoted to building Brand Sharjah and taking it to the world with relentless efforts in accordance with the vision and guidance of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. The Authority constantly explores the possibilities of developing the tourism and commercial sectors in the emirate through special events, activities and festivals at home and around the world.

Through a creative use of media, social networking and exhibitions SCTDA is able to raise public awareness locally, regionally and internationally about Sharjah. Thanks to the efforts of the past decade and half, Sharjah has emerged as a favourite holiday destination for visitors from around the world. Today, the emirate is not just home to the best in arts, heritage and culture; it also offers world class infrastructure and facilities to both residents and international visitors. Sharjah is proud that is a regional hub of knowledge and world-class universities and colleges. Above all, Sharjah has come to be recognised by the world over as the home of Arab and Islamic culture and civilization.

Sharjah has achieved a variety of highly regarded awards including UNESCO’s Cultural Capital of the Arab World 1998, Capital of Islamic Culture 2014, the Capital of Arab Tourism for 2015, and most recently, it was declared UNESCO’s World Book Capital 2019.

The emirate boasts a vibrant social and cultural milieu as throughout the year it hosts world-class, popular cultural and family festivals and events like U.I.M. F1H2O WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Sharjah Grand Prix, Sharjah Light Festival, Sharjah Biennial, Sharjah International Book Fair, Sharjah Heritage days, among many others.

The remarkable development that Sharjah has made over the past two decades and especially over the last decade on the tourism front is even more remarkable when we see that Sharjah has not lost sight of its roots and traditions. By showcasing the tourist attractions and its distinct cultural offerings in international forums and exhibitions as well as celebrating them at home, the Authority has firmly put the emirate on the world tourism map.”