bookings from China jumped 73.2 percent, and SCTDA is determined to further boost arrivals from the country.

All in all, the number of Asian visitors surged 12 percent, making the continent the emirate’s second-largest source market, just behind the GCC which sent nearly 220,000 tourists during the six-month period.

According to H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, chairman, SCTDA, the positive results, which are in line with Sharjah Tourism Vision 2021, underscore the destination’s growing popularity as a year-round hotspot for families.