Sharjah targets tourists from eastern and central Europe

Sharjah is targeting tourists from central and Eastern Europe amid improving air links.

From June 7 to 12, the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority held roadshows in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Poland.

The move comes as UAE travel operators, including hotels and tour agencies, explore new markets to make up for the decline in Russian tourists.

Hotels in the Northern Emirates have been a big draw for Russian guests.

“We are missing the Russian guests but we are exploring Central Asia, Czech Republic and Poland since last September and getting good results,” said Iftikhar Hamdani, the cluster general manager at Ramada Hotel and Suites Ajman and Ramada Beach Hotel Ajman. “Now, we are looking at Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary and to attract more sports clubs from east Europe.”

Tourist arrivals from Russia and CIS countries at Dubai International Airport fell during the first quarter with the declining rouble and low oil prices.

According to the latest data available from March, the number of passengers at Dubai International Airport dropped 31.7 per cent from the same period last year.

Sharjah expects to attract 10 million tourists by 2021, focusing on family tourism. Europe is one of its major source markets.

The European tour followed the April roadshows in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

The agency is due to visit more countries in the Arabian Gulf region in the next half of the year.

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The Two Popes

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Four out of five stars

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Osasuna 1 Real Madrid 4
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SAUDI RESULTS

Team Team Pederson (-40), Team Kyriacou (-39), Team De Roey (-39), Team Mehmet (-37), Team Pace (-36), Team Dimmock (-33)

Individual E. Pederson (-14), S. Kyriacou (-12), A van Dam (-12), L. Galmes (-12), C. Hull (-9), E. Givens (-8),

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Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez

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Sector: Entertainment

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BOSH!'s pantry essentials

Nutritional yeast

This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.

Seeds

"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."

Umami flavours

"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".

Onions and garlic

"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."

Your grain of choice

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