Expo Khorfakkan Achieves Over 900,000 Visitors In 2024 With Diverse Events

Expo Khorfakkan achieved significant milestones in 2024, boosting the exhibition industry in Sharjah's Eastern Region. The centre organised over 15 diverse events, marking a 30% increase from 2023. These events attracted more than 900,000 visitors and featured substantial exhibitor participation. Key highlights included the Book Fair, showcasing numerous UAE publishing houses and notable writers.

The Book Fair served as a vital cultural platform, offering recent publications across various fields like science, literature, and art in multiple languages. Other notable events were the annual Mango Festival and consumer-focused exhibitions such as the Eastern Bride Exhibition and Gulf Perfumes and Fashion exhibition. These events highlighted Khorfakkan's cultural richness.

Consumer-focused exhibitions achieved remarkable sales for participants. Events like "Al Kadi Exhibition" for Eid Al Adha 2024 provided opportunities for home-based businesses to promote products. These exhibitions offered a unique shopping experience, aligning with Khorfakkan’s vibrant tourism atmosphere. They also strengthened connections between entrepreneurs and their target audience.

The Mango Festival in June 2024 was another highlight, attracting over 10,000 visitors from GCC countries like Saudi Arabia and Oman. Organised by Expo Khorfakkan, it featured more than 150 mango varieties exhibited by over 30 participants, including farmers and agricultural companies. This event underscored agriculture's cultural and economic significance in the region.

Looking ahead to 2025, Expo Khorfakkan plans to host diverse events, including the inaugural Khorfakkan Tourism and Marine Sports Exhibition. The agenda will feature consumer and commercial exhibitions aimed at fostering business growth and community engagement. These initiatives reflect the centre’s commitment to enhancing its role in supporting retail and tourism sectors.

Khalil Al Mansouri, Director of Expo Khorfakkan, expressed pride in the centre's achievements in 2024. He stated that these milestones demonstrate the centre’s dedication to strengthening the exhibitions sector's contribution to Sharjah’s Eastern Region's economic development. Al Mansouri noted that recent events have added value to tourism and trade sectors.

Impact on Local Economy

The centre has focused on enhancing its role in supporting retail and tourism by hosting commercial events that offer unique shopping experiences. These activities cater to various demographic groups with a wide range of goods and services. They combine convenience with luxury while saving visitors time and effort.

Expo Khorfakkan's emphasis on consumer-focused exhibitions provides exhibitors an ideal platform to showcase products, attract new customers, and boost sales. These dynamic shopping hubs offer rich activities for different age groups, contributing significantly to local economic growth.

The successful organisation of these events underscores Expo Khorfakkan's pivotal role in promoting cultural heritage while fostering economic development within Sharjah’s Eastern Region.

With inputs from WAM