The Representative Committee of the Hotel Sector Business Group, operating under the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), has reviewed new initiatives to strengthen the sustainability of Sharjah’s tourism sector and enhance hospitality standards during an expanded coordination meeting at the Chamber’s headquarters.
The committee examined a newly launched package of incentives, facilitation measures and strategic initiatives introduced by the Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority (SEWA) for tourism and hospitality establishments. The package aims to improve operational performance, reduce costs and reinforce Sharjah’s business environment, making the emirate more attractive to investors and entrepreneurs.
The meeting was chaired by Fadi Musharafieh, Head of the Hotels Sector Business Group, and attended by Dr Fatima Al Muqarrab, Director of International Relations at SCCI; Hadef Al Tunaiji, the committee’s permanent member and SEWA representative; Amjad Awad Al Karim, Head of Sectoral Business Groups Department; senior SEWA officials; and representatives from hotel establishments.
SEWA said that the incentive package reflects a strengthened public-private partnership by translating Sharjah’s sustainable economic vision into practical support for businesses. The initiatives are designed to provide investors with greater planning certainty, optimize operating costs, improve operational efficiency and help hospitality establishments expand capacity to meet future tourism demand.
Held ahead of the summer tourism season, the meeting underscored the committee’s focus on converting government collaboration into tangible operational outcomes for the hospitality sector. Participants reaffirmed the industry’s role as a key driver of Sharjah’s tourism ecosystem and economic growth.
SEWA officials outlined the objectives of the incentive program, saying it is intended to improve the hospitality sector’s operational efficiency and competitiveness while generating wider benefits for Sharjah’s tourism industry.
Summer-focused measures to cut operating costs
Officials also detailed the incentive package, introduced in June and running until the end of August, which offers financial and operational support tailored to the sector’s seasonal requirements. The measures are aimed at lowering operating costs, strengthening business resilience and promoting sustainable operating practices.
Discussions focused on supporting Sharjah’s sustainable economic and tourism development agenda through SEWA’s new initiatives, stronger engagement with hotel owners and executives, and deeper institutional collaboration between government entities and the hospitality sector.
Focus on implementation and industry engagement
Participants also stressed the importance of on-site monitoring through regular visits to hotels and tourism establishments to ensure effective implementation of the incentive program.
The visits will help businesses maximize available incentives, identify operational requirements, gather industry feedback and address implementation challenges. The initiative will also support the preparation of periodic reports containing recommendations to further strengthen the program’s long-term impact.
Sharjah plans hospitality skills, tourism training initiatives
The meeting also explored specialized training programs for hospitality professionals to maintain international service standards. Participants discussed leveraging the new incentives to boost tourism activity and attract more visitors during the summer season, complementing the ongoing Sharjah Summer Promotions campaign, which runs until mid-September.
SEWA said the incentive package provides a practical framework to address operational challenges facing the hospitality sector and improve the resilience of hotel establishments amid changing market conditions. The measures are expected to encourage innovation and support sustainable tourism growth, further strengthening Sharjah’s position as a leading tourism destination.
The Sharjah Chamber reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the hospitality sector by addressing operational challenges and deepening collaboration with government partners. It also praised SEWA’s initiatives, saying they will boost hotel competitiveness, improve the business environment and further strengthen Sharjah’s position as a leading tourism, investment and economic hub.
