Hotels in Sharjah recorded a 14 percent drop in room occupancy levels in 2009.

Room occupancy levels were 69 per cent last year, a 14 per cent drop from 80 per cent occupancy in 2008, says Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA).

SCTDA is hoping a new tourist campaign will encourage more visitors to the emirate. “We plan to launch new activities that take into account the changes in the global economy as well as the new tourism trends and needs, of which we are fully aware,” says Mohamed al-Norman, Director-General of the SCTDA.