Emirates Post, in collaboration with the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), has issued commemorative stamps in denomination of AED 3 on Sharjah Arab Tourism Capital for 2015, along with a souvenir sheet of AED 10.

Commenting on the issue, Ibrahim bin Karam, Chief Commercial Officer of Emirates Post Group, said the new stamps celebrate the honour given to the emirate of Sharjah by being named Capital of Arab Tourism for 2015.

He said the Capital of Arab Tourism 2015 award is a testimony to Sharjah’s unique tourism product that has been growing in reputation at the local, regional and international levels over the past decade. This award is even more significant considering that the Emirate is just closing the curtain on the award of Capital of Islamic Culture 2014 presented by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

Sharjah was conferred the title of Arab Tourism Capital for 2015 during the 15th session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Tourism in Cairo on October 18 of 2012.

The Capital of Arab Tourism is awarded to a destination that meets specific criteria set by the Arab Council of Tourism Ministers, based on contribution to boosting tourism exchange between Arab Countries. The award recognises destinations that show how inter-Arab tourism is integrated into clearly defined strategies and objectives.

The selected country needs to demonstrate how it has enhanced and positively promotes Arab tourism destinations in international markets, alongside its inter-Arab promotional strategy.

Other criteria include accessibility to the destination, variety of tourism opportunities available, importance placed on archaeological sites, the level of infrastructure, development and investment in tourism services, number of hotel rooms and regulation and licensing of accommodation in apartments and hotels. There is also weightage given to range of events and activities reflecting the heritage and culture of the destination.

Other criteria include climate and natural attractions for Arab visitors as well as the ongoing development of new investment projects suitable for Arab tourists.