While registration for the upcoming edition of the Sharjah International Travel and Tourism Forum is not yet open, we invite you to explore the website for key highlights, expert insights, and impact stories from previous editions.
If you have any questions or would like to be among the first to receive updates once registration opens, please don’t hesitate to get in touch through the Contact Us form on. Our team is here to assist you and keep you informed every step of the way.
Let the journey begin.
#SITTF2024 Team
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 11th edition of the Sharjah International Travel & Tourism Forum.
Under the theme, “The Future of Tourism: in the Fields of Digitization, Health, and Safety,” this year’s edition of the Forum brings together industry leaders, innovators, and game-changers to explore how technology and innovation are transforming the global tourism landscape.
SITTF brings together leaders and pioneers in the tourism industry to discuss different topics. 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.
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 ...
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H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa
Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority
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 (...
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H.E. Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer
Chief Executive Officer of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq)
Regional Director of the Middle East at UN Tourism
H.E. Basmah Al Mayman
Regional Director of the Middle East at UN Tourism
Thierry Malleret is the founder and managing partner of Monthly Barometer- a succinct predictive analysis provided to private investors, global CEOs and some of today's most influential opinion and de...
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THIERRY MALLERET
Distinguished Global Strategist, Economist and co-founder of the Monthly Barometer
Lecturer at Faculty of Tourism
Supervisor on public relations and media
King Abdulaziz University
Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Thamer Bader Alamri
Lecturer at Faculty of Tourism, Supervisor on public relations and media, King Abdulaziz University
I am an accomplished hospitality leader with over 20 years of experience overseeing luxury hotels, including classic and aparthotels. I focus on ensuring the highest standards of guest and employee sa...
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Fadi Musharafieh
Cluster General Manager
Chris Gregory-Pasha is the Senior Sales Director at Sojern, a global leader in programmatic and AI-driven marketing solutions, designed for the travel industry. Based in Dubai, Chris has dedicated the...
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Chris Gregory Pasha
Senior Sales Director at Sojern
A strategic business leader with over 25 years building market presence and driving revenue growth and innovation across Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Recognized as an industry trans...
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Karl Tlais
Strategic Advisor | Digital Economy | Partnerships | Ventures
Ed Kastli joined the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) in October of 2009.
Established in 1953 as the nonprofit education and training arm of the American Hotel & Lodging Associ...
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Ed Kastli
e Channel Vice President of International at the NRA and AHLEI
Nick Mott has called the UAE home now for well over a decade. He is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of data experience, with the last 15 years focused in travel, helping destinations and tr...
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Nick Mott
Professional with over 20 years of data experience
Mariam Ahmed AlAli is the Head of the Food Laboratory Section at Sharjah City Municipality, bringing over 11 years of experience in Food Quality & Safety Testing. Starting as a microbiologist, she est...
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Dr Mariam Al Ali
Head of the Food Laboratory Section at Sharjah City Municipality
Seth Shenbanjo is a data science and business professional focused on using technology to drive business intelligence and strategy. With expertise in advanced analytics, Seth empowers organisations to...
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Seth Shenbanjo
Data Science and Business Professional
Marketing Department Manager at Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority
Karim El Marmari
Marketing Department Manager - Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority
Education:
• MSc (Food Science and Nutrition). 1991, Utah State University, USA.
• BSc in Food science, University of Khartoum, 1983
Key Posts:
Food Safety Expert, Environment, Health and Safety Foun...
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Bashir Hassan Yousif
Food Safety Expert, Dubai Municipality
Event Agenda
Take part in a series of panels and events to learn, share and collaborate with professionals from the hospitality industry.
Wednesday 19 November 2025
8:30 - 10:00 am
Registration & Networking
Registration & Networking
10:00 - 10:10 am
Opening Remarks
Opening Remarks
10:10 - 10:15 am
Opening Speech
HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa - Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority
10:15 - 10:25 am
Guest of Honor Speech
HE Abdalla bin Touq Al Marri - Minister of Economy for the UAE
10:25 - 10:40 am
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
10:40 - 11:00 am
Awards Ceremony
Awards Ceremony
11:00 - 11:40 am
Exhibition Tour & Coffee Break
Exhibition Tour & Coffee Break
Wednesday 19 November 2025
11:40 - 11:50 am
Keynote Presentation
HE Ahmed Al Qaseer - CEO of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq)
11:50 am - 12:35 pm
Panel 1: Sustainability Practices
Innovate for Impact, Collaborate for Change
H.E. Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer
Chief Executive Officer of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq)
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
12:35 - 12:50 pm
Sustainable Tourism: A Way to Improvements
Mrs. Koko Tang - Global Sustainable Tourism Council Board Member, Founder of Colorful Earth
12:50 - 1:05 pm
Prayer Break
Prayer Break
1:05 - 1:20 pm
Rethinking Tourism
Mr. Doug Lansky - Destination Advisor and Tourism Expert
1:20 - 2:05 pm
Panel 2: Strategies for Sustainable Travel & Tourism
Panel 2: Strategies for Sustainable Travel and Tourism
Mr. Iftikhar Hamdani
Area General Manager – Northern Emirates Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel and Coral Beach Resort Sharjah
Ms. Koko Tang
Global Sustainable Tourism Council Board Member, Founder of Colorful Earth
Mr. Paul Bridger
Chief Operating Officer, Rove Hotels
Mr. Doug Lansky
Destination Advisor and Tourism Expert
2:05 - 2:20 pm
Sustain Sharjah Initiative: Start Your Sustainable Journey
Mr. Karim El Marmari - Marketing Department Manager, Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Development Authority
2:20 - 2:30 pm
Closing Remarks
Closing Remarks
2:30 - 3:30 pm
Lunch
Lunch
Wednesday 19 November 2025
11:.00 - 11:40 am
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
12:30 - 1:15 pm
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.
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.
