Sharjah will gather regional and global tourism decision makers on Wednesday 19 November 2025 for the Sharjah International Travel and Tourism Forum 2025 at Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre. Under the theme “New Waves of Tourism Spectrum”, the forum will explore how innovation, data and inclusivity are reshaping destinations across the region and beyond. Organisers plan a full working day, with activity stretching from morning registration at around 08:30 through panels, workshops and networking expected to run toward 17:00. The forum continues a series that has grown over more than a decade into one of Sharjah’s key tourism policy platforms. The 2025 edition is positioned as a strategic meeting point for governments, industry leaders and innovators shaping the future of travel.
Forum theme and industry focus
This year’s theme, “New Waves of Tourism Spectrum”, signals a strong emphasis on technology, sustainable growth and new visitor segments. Organisers want to move discussion beyond generic promotion toward concrete tools, from artificial intelligence in forecasting demand to inclusive hospitality standards. Sessions will look at how Sharjah can compete globally while protecting culture, environment and community interests. In addition, the programme highlights youth, entrepreneurship and wellness tourism as growth engines for the emirate and the wider UAE. The forum serves as a working laboratory where policy ideas, business models and community needs meet in the same room.
Agenda highlights throughout the day
The official agenda starts with Registration and Networking from 08:30 to 10:00, giving delegates time to orient themselves and make early contacts before the opening remarks. After that, welcome speeches and a keynote on “The Future of Travel in the Age of AI” set the tone, leading into a panel on “AI Driven Tourism: Balancing Innovation and Authenticity” late in the morning. Midday options include a Youth Circle on tourism entrepreneurship, short talks on smart destinations and digital nomads, and networking around an exhibition tour and coffee break. Later, delegates can follow sessions on community based tourism, sustainable travel beyond greenwashing, and the Tourism Innovation Hackathon awards, with additional wellness and medical tourism workshops scheduled with times to be confirmed. Registration is required to access the main hall sessions and specialised workshops, so confirm your place early.
Speakers and participating sectors
SITTF 2025 will bring together an unusually broad group of speakers, spanning government, international organisations, hospitality groups, technology firms and content creators. The line up features figures such as the Chairman of Sharjah’s tourism authority, national level economic policymakers and senior representatives from global tourism bodies. At the same time, the agenda gives space to economists focused on Gulf tourism data, hotel and entertainment executives, travel marketing specialists and digital economy strategists. Meanwhile, wellness and medical tourism experts, inclusive hospitality trainers and front line hospitality leaders add operational detail to the discussion. The line up deliberately mixes ministers, economists, hoteliers, wellness specialists and youth voices on one stage.
Venue layout, facilities and parking
Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre ranks among the largest purpose built event venues in the Northern Emirates, with a main hall that can be divided into several soundproof sections for parallel sessions. Delegates can expect high ceilings, professional audio visual systems, comfortable seating and on site catering capable of handling conference scale coffee breaks and lunches. Prayer rooms, foyers for networking and well maintained restrooms support a full working day on site. Parking is one of the venue’s strengths, with sources indicating capacity for at least 500 vehicles and in some cases more than 1,000 spaces around the complex, all on paved surfaces. Parking capacity is generous but can feel tight during simultaneous morning arrivals, so avoid cutting it too close.
How to reach Al Jawaher within Sharjah
Al Jawaher sits along Al Dhaid Road in Sharjah, close to Sharjah National Park and not far from Sharjah Airport, which makes it straightforward to reach by car from most city districts. From Rolla, Al Majaz or the Corniche, drivers usually take King Faisal Street or Al Wahda Street out toward Al Dhaid Road, then follow signs toward the convention centre. In normal mid morning conditions, this drive can take 15 to 25 minutes, but congestion around school times and rush hour can easily extend that. Therefore it is wise to leave early enough to absorb any delays at key junctions. Allow at least 30 minutes of buffer time if you drive from central Sharjah to make the 09:00 start comfortably.
Arriving from Dubai and other Emirates
Many delegates will travel from Dubai, where travel times depend heavily on departure point and traffic on the Dubai Sharjah corridor. From Deira, Dubai Creek or Dubai International Airport, the most common route uses E11 into Sharjah, then continues via Al Wahda Street and Al Dhaid Road toward the venue, often taking 45 to 60 minutes outside peak rush hours. From newer districts such as Business Bay, Dubai Marina or JLT, drivers typically join E311 or E611 before crossing into Sharjah, which can push the journey closer to 60 to 75 minutes in busy conditions. Similarly, delegates from Ajman may need 20 to 30 minutes via Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, while those from Ras Al Khaimah or Umm Al Quwain should budget 60 to 90 minutes. For delegates driving from Dubai, leaving between 06:30 and 07:00 offers a far better chance of arriving relaxed for morning registration.
Public transport and taxi options
Public transport connections help those who prefer not to drive. Al Jawaher has its own public transport stop on Al Dhaid Road, served by bus routes including the 88, 88X and 99, which link the venue with central Sharjah locations such as Rolla, Jubail Bus Station and Sharjah Airport Terminal. According to recent guidance on Sharjah’s bus network, services generally operate from around 06:00 to 23:00, with standard fares starting at approximately AED 8 per journey when paying by transport card. However, frequency and exact schedules vary by route, so travellers should confirm timings close to the date, especially for early arrivals or late returns. Taxis and ride hailing remain widely available, with typical daytime fares from central Sharjah to the venue in the range of approximately AED 20 to AED 35, and significantly higher if travelling directly from Dubai. If you rely on buses, build in time for at least one transfer and some walking between the stop and the venue entrance.
Participation, pricing and who should attend
SITTF is organised under the patronage of Sharjah’s leadership and managed by the emirate’s tourism authority, which tends to treat the forum as a strategic policy and industry development platform rather than a commercial exhibition. The official site currently highlights open registration for the 2025 edition but does not yet publish a standard ticket price. In previous editions and similar policy forums in Sharjah, core attendance for registered delegates has typically been free, while some workshops, training sessions or certification components may carry separate fees in the approximate range of AED 100 to AED 200. As a result, SITTF 2025 should particularly appeal to government tourism teams, destination marketing organisations, hotel and attraction managers, travel tech firms, tour operators, travel media, content creators and university students in tourism or hospitality programmes (suitable for solo professionals, business groups, and experienced students rather than young children). For most participants, the main hall panels and networking are expected to be free with prior online registration, though some specialised add ons may be paid.
Weather, traffic and practical warnings
On the event day, Wednesday 19 November 2025, forecasts for Sharjah point to sunny conditions with a daytime high of about 33°C and an overnight low near 18°C, with no significant rain expected. If you plan to stay into the following weekend, Friday 21 November and Saturday 22 November should bring similar hazy sunshine, with highs around 34°C and 32°C and lows close to 19°C, again with dry ground and no mud risk at the fully paved venue. Light, breathable business clothing works well, but because the halls are strongly air conditioned, a thin blazer, abaya or cardigan helps during long indoor sessions, and comfortable closed shoes remain important for standing and walking throughout the day. Morning rush hour between Dubai and Sharjah can be intense from 07:00 to 09:00, while outbound traffic toward Dubai often peaks from 16:30 to 19:00, so driving visitors should plan around those windows and remember that Al Jawaher’s large parking area can still fill quickly around the 09:00 start. Public transport is suitable for confident users of Sharjah’s bus network, but taxis or ride hailing offer a simpler choice for those juggling meetings and tight agendas. Make your registration and travel arrangements early, because both seats in key sessions and the most convenient parking spots may go quickly on Wednesday morning. According to planning advice often shared by editors at www.few.ae, it is also wise to treat any ticket prices mentioned here as approximately and to recheck official timings, access details and participation conditions a few days before the forum in case of late changes.
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