From November 6 to 8 in an event that brought together global representatives of the travel and tourism industry, SMA shared Sharjah's vibrant cultural heritage and brought history to life with student-developed technology.
Held under the banner of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority and within Sharjah's dedicated pavilion, SMA showcased the emirate's remarkable attractions and underscored its growing stature in the regional and international tourism sectors.
Aisha Rashid Deemas, Director General of SMA, underlined the importance of the WTM in promoting Sharjah as a leading destination that truly reflects the Emirate's cultural identity and the living traditions of its people.
“The goal is to showcase Sharjah's outstanding destinations, embody the emirate's cultural essence, and express the enduring customs and traditions of its citizens,” she said.
The event has also served as a channel for networking, forging valuable partnerships and fostering dialogue with global travel and tourism leaders.
A highlight of SMA's showcase was the celebration of an Augmented Reality (AR) experience at the Sharjah Fort (Al Hisn) that was masterfully created by university students from Sharjah.
The promoted AR project, a collaborative effort with Dr. Krzysztof Pietroszek, the Founding Director of the Institute for Immersive Designs, Experiences, Applications, and Stories (Institute for IDEAS) at the American University, Washington D.C., is spearheaded by Dr. Suhail Dahdal, Associate Professor in Media Communication and Head, Department of Media Communication at AUS.
Ms Aisha emphasized that the high-quality project which delivers a captivating experience for visitors, reflects SMA's commitment to engaging students in heritage representation through hands-on opportunities and nurturing their innovation and creativity.
The project helps connect Emirati youth with their heritage in a novel and compelling manner that harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to animate historical sites and museums artifacts in a virtual and augmented reality-based environment.
Its creative integration of gesture recognition, AI technology and virtual representations of historical figures that enhance the storytelling within the fort, provides visitors with an immersive journey through the past.
SMA has additionally promoted Kalba as a distinctive tourist attraction offering unique experiences to visitors from around the world and the Bait Sheikh Saeed Bin Hamad Al Qasimi House Museum.
An architectural marvel from 1899 in the heart of Kalba, the museum was reopened to the public recently offering a window into the rich cultural fabric of Sharjah through its array of artifacts and storied history.
SMA's active engagement at the World Travel Market has been a testament to its dedication to preserving and promoting the Sharjah's cultural heritage on the global stage, fostering international connections, and enhancing the appreciation for the UAE’s historical and cultural depth.
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