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The Sharjah package includes return airfares in the economy class, hotel stay for two nights and three days in a select three and five-star hotels.

Hyderabad , Sept. 18

TARGETING the leisure segment, the Government of Sharjah has teamed up with Indian Airlines to offer a special holiday package, which seeks to promote the Emirates as a major tourist destination for the outbound traffic from India.

For IA, the package helps to keep up the passenger flow steady during the off-season period.

The exclusive Sharjah holiday package includes return airfares in the economy class, hotel accommodation for two nights and three days in a select range of three and five-star hotels. Available in the range of Rs 14,770 to Rs 23,495, the offer is open up to March 31, 2004.

It also includes a half-day city tour and free trips from the hotel to some shopping malls.

An interesting feature of the package is the 96-hour visa, "subject to screening on a case-by-case basis."

"Sharjah, the cultural capital of West Asia, offers best of the both worlds. We have coast lines, beaches, mountains and eco-tourism getaways," Mr Mohammed Al Norman, Director of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, said.

"This is only a trial period. This, however, is not the end of it. After assessing the response, we'll see how to go about it to meet the demand," Mr Hossam Talaat, General Manager of Sharjah Airport Travel Agency, said.

Announcing the scheme at a joint meeting here on Thursday, he said though it was aimed at the leisure traffic, the features also suited the business travellers. Hyderabad being host to huge businessmen and corporations, there could be queries with regard to holding expositions. "We do have good facilities for holding expos. You can sell this idea to your clients," he told a group of travel agents.

Some travel agents, however, protested against the undertaking-clause for sending passengers under the scheme, taking the full responsibility for their clients. "How can we be held responsible legally for the overstay of the passengers?" asked a travel agent.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication

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