Sharjah International Travel and Tourism Forum 2023

Sustainable Tourism: The Way to Improvement
Register now
smart square

Under the patronage of the Crown Prince of Sharjah, His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Executive Council, the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority takes immense pleasure in inviting you to the 10th edition of the Sharjah International Travel & Tourism Forum. The forum will highlight a set of topics centering on the most important and impactful opportunities and challenges in the sustainable tourism sector at global and local levels, in addition to discussing the vital role that sustainability plays in this constantly evolving sector.

2023 Featured Speakers

SITTF 2023 brings together leaders and pioneers in the tourism industry to discuss the topic “Sustainable Tourism: The Way to Improvement”. Join tourism specialists and government officials as they foster knowledge exchange and share insights on how members of the profession can tackle the realities of the tourism sector and future trends, in addition to highlighting the role of technologies in ensuring its sustainability.
slider image 1
H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri was appointed Minister of Economy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and member of the UAE Cabinet in July 2020. He is the Chairman of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI), the UAE International Investors Council, the CSR UAE Fund’s Board of Trustees, and the Head of the Circular Economy Policy Committee within the UAE Circular E... View More

H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri

Cabinet Member & UAE Minister of Economy
slider image 1
Her Excellency Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany is one of the UAE’s leading figures in national and international efforts to accelerate the transition to a net-zero economy through climate diplomacy. On the international stage, Dr. Al-Hosany is the Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), where she supports the Agency’s efforts in making the te... View More

H.E. Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany

Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Green Development and Climate Change, at the UAE's Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Permanent Representative of UAE IRENA
slider image 1
His Excellency Khalid Jasim Al Midfa brings over 20 years of dynamic professional experience in various commercial, tourism and economic fields in Sharjah. Under his leadership, the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Authority (SCTDA) has achieved many successes at both international and local levels, becoming a major cornerstone of the emirate’s tourism development efforts. Al Midfa has taken the emir... View More

H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa

Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority
slider image 1
H.E. Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer graduated from Dubai Men’s College with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Information Technology. He started his career in 2002 at The Emirates Telecommunication Corporation (Etisalat) in the Government & Corporate Segment and worked as Senior Sales Support and Senior Sales Executive for 4 years. In 2006, H.E Ahmed joined the Al Qasba Development Authority as a Business ... View More

H.E. Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer

Chief Executive Officer of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq)
slider image 1
Koko TANG is dedicated to sustainable tourism. She joined Vinetree, the Chinese first boutique tented resort company, as the Co-founder and CEO in 2015, and has been awarded with many national level prizes for her remarkable contributions to sustainable tourism. In 2018, Koko Tang was invited by Shanghai Chongming government to join its think tank as a sustainable tourism expert. In 2019, Koko w... View More

Ms. Koko Tang

Global Sustainable Tourism Council Board Member, Founder of Colorful Earth
slider image 1
After 20 years as a travel journalist, editor and author, Doug has given acclaimed lectures at hundreds of universities, three TEDx Talks, presented at National Geographic Headquarters, for the United Nations World’s Tourism Organization, at Google Travel, Booking.com, Amadeus, ITB Berlin and for over 200 destinations around the world, introducing audiences to new insights and smart tourism concep... View More

Mr. Doug Lansky

Destination Advisor and Tourism Expert
slider image 1
Marketing Department Manager at Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority

Mr. Karim El Marmari

Marketing Department Manager - Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority
slider image 1
A proven hospitality leader with more than 20 years of experience across the Middle East, Asia, the UK & Ireland, Paul Bridger is the Chief Operating Officer of Rove Hotels, the smart, value hospitality brand created as a joint venture between Emaar Properties PJSC and Meraas Holding. Paul heads Rove Hotels and is responsible for overseeing the initiation, planning, and achievement of strategic b... View More

Mr. Paul Bridger

Chief Operating Officer, Rove Hotels
slider image 1
Iftikhar Hamdani, Area General Manager HMH Northern Emirates, has over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry. He is known for his notable ground-breaking sustainable campaigns; community & charity works; illustrated social sustainability and has been recognized with several awards and certifications as a testament of his success at being forefront of sustainability & profitability wi... View More

Mr. Iftikhar Hamdani

Area General Manager – Northern Emirates Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel and Coral Beach Resort Sharjah

Event Agenda

Take part in a series of panels and events to learn, share and collaborate with professionals from the hospitality industry.

Registration & Networking

Registration & Networking
Wednesday 22 November 2023
8:30 - 10:00 am
Venue: Expo Centre Sharjah - Hall 6

Opening Remarks

Opening Remarks
Wednesday 22 November 2023
10:00 - 10:10 am
Venue: Expo Centre Sharjah - Hall 6

Opening Speech

HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa - Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority
Wednesday 22 November 2023
10:10 - 10:15 am
Venue: Expo Centre Sharjah - Hall 6

Guest of Honor Speech

HE Abdalla bin Touq Al Marri - Minister of Economy for the UAE
Wednesday 22 November 2023
10:15 - 10:25 am
Venue: Expo Centre Sharjah - Hall 6

Sustainability & Climate Change Journey

HE Dr. Nawal Al Hosany - Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Green Development and Climate Change, at the UAE's Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Permanent Representative of UAE IRENA
Wednesday 22 November 2023
10:25 - 10:40 am
Venue: Expo Centre Sharjah - Hall 6

Awards Ceremony

Awards Ceremony
Wednesday 22 November 2023
10:40 - 11:00 am
Venue: Expo Centre Sharjah - Hall 6

Exhibition Tour & Coffee Break

Exhibition Tour & Coffee Break
Wednesday 22 November 2023
11:00 - 11:40 am
Venue: Expo Centre Sharjah - Hall 6

Keynote Presentation

HE Ahmed Al Qaseer - CEO of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq)
Wednesday 22 November 2023
11:40 - 11:50 am
Venue: Expo Centre Sharjah - Hall 6

Panel 1: Sustainability Practices

Innovate for Impact, Collaborate for Change
Speakers: H.E. Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer
H.E. Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany
Mr. Youssef Abdulbari
Wednesday 22 November 2023
11:50 am - 12:35 pm
Venue: Expo Centre Sharjah - Hall 6

Sustainable Tourism: A Way to Improvements

Mrs. Koko Tang - Global Sustainable Tourism Council Board Member, Founder of Colorful Earth
Wednesday 22 November 2023
12:35 - 12:50 pm
Venue: Expo Centre Sharjah - Hall 6

Prayer Break

Prayer Break
Wednesday 22 November 2023
12:50 - 1:05 pm
Venue: Expo Centre Sharjah - Hall 6

Rethinking Tourism

Mr. Doug Lansky - Destination Advisor and Tourism Expert
Wednesday 22 November 2023
1:05 - 1:20 pm
Venue: Expo Centre Sharjah - Hall 6

Panel 2: Strategies for Sustainable Travel & Tourism

Panel 2: Strategies for Sustainable Travel and Tourism
Speakers: Mr. Iftikhar Hamdani
Ms. Koko Tang
Mr. Paul Bridger
Mr. Doug Lansky
Wednesday 22 November 2023
1:20 - 2:05 pm
Venue: Expo Centre Sharjah - Hall 6

Sustain Sharjah Initiative: Start Your Sustainable Journey

Mr. Karim El Marmari - Marketing Department Manager, Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Development Authority
Wednesday 22 November 2023
2:05 - 2:20 pm
Venue: Expo Centre Sharjah - Hall 6

Closing Remarks

Closing Remarks
Wednesday 22 November 2023
2:20 - 2:30 pm
Venue: Expo Centre Sharjah - Hall 6

Lunch

Lunch
Wednesday 22 November 2023
2:30 - 3:30 pm
Venue: Expo Centre Sharjah - Hall 6

Workshop #1: Destination Recharge

Destination Recharge workshop aims to highlight Sharjah’s destinations, and encourage social positive change while highlighting the importance of responsible tourism. Target audience: Sharjah government employees
Wednesday 22 November 2023
11:.00 - 11:40 am
Venue: Expo Centre Sharjah - Hall 6

Workshop #2: Journey Beyond Expectations

The Journey beyond Expectations workshop applies knowledge of theories and practices to solve business related challenges in the tourism domain. Participants will be shown how to better design itineraries in Sharjah to improve guest experiences. Target audience: tour operators and tour guides.
Wednesday 22 November 2023
12:30 - 1:15 pm
Venue: Expo Centre Sharjah - Hall 6

Explore past
Sharjah events

About SCTDA

Increasing vital contributions to the economy, society, culture and environment through commerce and tourism.

SCTDA carries out the work and activities necessary to achieve its goals by way of drawing up strategic plans to further develop and promote the tourism industry in all its forms. It compiles policies for participating in local, regional and international exhibitions with the ultimate goal of promoting Sharjah as an attractive medium for foreign investment.