Sharjah Forges Authentic Destination Economy Through Heritage, Hospitality and Community
Leading officials and hospitality experts convened at the ninth Sharjah Investment Forum to illuminate how cultural integrity, sophisticated infrastructure and genuine community engagement create destinations of enduring appeal and economic vitality.
The ninth Sharjah Investment Forum has illuminated a compelling vision of destination development, one that elegantly weaves together cultural authenticity, world-class hospitality, thoughtful infrastructure and the genuine needs of local communities to forge experiences of profound attraction for both investors and visitors alike.
Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, Chief Executive Officer of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), articulated the foundational principle that underpins all successful destination development: understanding with clarity and conviction the essential purpose of every project. This clarity, he explained, becomes the luminous thread that guides design philosophy, master planning and the identification of target audiences.
He exemplified this philosophy through The Chedi Al Bait hotel in the Heart of Sharjah, a distinguished establishment that incorporates existing heritage houses and the foundations of historic dwellings into its architectural narrative. This thoughtful integration creates for visitors an immersive journey through Sharjah’s rich past whilst delivering the refined comforts and contemporary services expected of exceptional hospitality.
The Kalba Beach project further exemplifies Sharjah’s commitment to placing community prosperity at the heart of development. Comprehensive recreational infrastructure including walking, jogging and cycling tracks converges with carefully allocated commercial units designed to nurture young local entrepreneurs in establishing cafés, restaurants and independent enterprises. Sustainability extends beyond environmental stewardship to encompass the creation of genuine economic opportunities for residents and established businesses.
Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, underscored the considerable economic significance of tourism, which contributes approximately ten per cent of global GDP and anticipates growth exceeding that of numerous other vital economic sectors throughout the coming decade. Sharjah, he observed, enjoys an exceptionally advantageous position to capture this expanding opportunity, fortified by ambitious infrastructure initiatives, airport development and innovative enterprises across the central and eastern regions.
He addressed the persistent challenge of tourism seasonality with elegant pragmatism, advocating for diversified source markets rather than dependency upon single markets, coupled with the cultivation of domestic tourism and encouraging local residents to experience their own emirate’s hospitality offerings through collaborative private sector partnerships.
Stephan Schupbach, President and Group Chief Executive of Chedi Hospitality, articulated a profound evolution in the conception of luxury within international hospitality. Contemporary value, he observed, resides increasingly in the distinctiveness and authenticity of the experience offered and the narratives told about a destination, transcending traditional markers of luxury. The group’s Sharjah operations have become an exemplary model for international partners and investors globally.
The forum emphasised that aligning investment and development with authentic sense of place yields sustainable competitive advantage. In Sharjah, the synthesis of cultural heritage, natural landscapes, distinctive hospitality excellence and genuine opportunities for local enterprise creates a visitor economy of enduring magnetism and long-term viability.
The Sharjah Investment Forum, organised by the Sharjah Foreign Direct Investment Office (Invest in Sharjah) in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Investment, convenes business leaders, investors and policymakers under the overarching theme of Building Adaptive Economies.
Source: WAM