April 22- Sharjah has launched air flight service to destinations in Europe over the last 18 months, as the emirate has increased its efforts towards boosting tourism and related sectors. Sharjah’s flagship carrier, Air Arabia worked with the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) to begin flight service to Greece and Ukraine. The goal of the new flights was to attract more tourists and recover from the effects of the global recession. Air Arabia began three weekly flights to the Ukranian capital of Kiev in October 2008, and to the Greek capital of Athens in April 2009.
The SCTDA also announced an annual event, the “Sharjah Tourism Excellence Award”, to help promote and leverage tourism services in the sector. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmad Al Qasimi, SCTDA chairman explained the award “aims to encourage establishments and authorities in the tourism sector to play a vital role in the development of tourism in the emirate. It also embodies the need for more effective principles and standards to help leverage tourism services.”
