Business

### Tourism’s Growing Role in Sharjah’s Economy Tourism now contributes around 10 percent of Sharjah’s GDP, making it one of the emirate’s most important economic sectors. At the same time, Sharjah continues to expand its tourism offering across different regions. Along the coast, destinations such as Khorfakkan and Kalba attract visitors with beaches, nature, and outdoor activities. Meanwhile, heritage and archaeological locations in Mleiha highlight the emirate’s history, while the desert landscapes of Al Badayer add another dimension to the tourism experience. As Sharjah develops these destinations further, demand continues to rise for new visitor experiences, stronger services, and more innovative strategies. Consequently, the emirate increasingly views partnerships with universities as a necessary part of long-term growth rather than an optional initiative. ### Preparing Students for Real-World Challenges At the academic level, universities are focusing less on theory and more on direct exposure to the market. Instead of studying only in classrooms, students now work on real challenges from the tourism and business sectors. As a result, they gain practical experience while still completing their studies. Moreover, universities have integrated subjects such as marketing, design, and media studies into this approach. Cross-disciplinary teams can therefore work together to solve real problems and develop ideas that match the needs of the tourism industry. This method brings education much closer to practice. By the time students graduate, they already understand how the market works and have experience that reflects real business conditions rather than simulated classroom exercises.

Why Sharjah Is Using University Collaboration to Support Future Tourism Growth

Bridging Education With Industry Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority and American University of Sharjah have formalised a partnership to align academic learning with the evolving needs of the tourism…

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