Case Study: Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority achieves 100% course completion with Totara

Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Development Authority Launches Anytime, Anywhere Learning for 100% Course Completion

Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) — the government body promoting commerce and tourism in Sharjah since 1996 — needed to modernize training across its workforce and the wider hospitality sector. The main challenges were integrating a new learning platform with an existing legacy registration and payment system, eliminating long waits and batch requirements for license renewals, and converting classroom-based courses into simple, engaging digital learning for a traditionally classroom-oriented audience.

SCTDA implemented a customized, two-way learning portal segregated from but integrated with its legacy systems to push learner completions back into the licensing workflow. The program delivered gamified, bilingual micro-learning and assessment modules (with options for practical exams), plus sector-specific courses for hotels and tour guides. Launched in March 2020, 25 hours of content across four programs were deployed in 45 days, cutting training costs and renewal wait times, enabling on-the-job modules, achieving near-100% course completion during the pandemic, and standardizing staff development.

Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority

Khalid Jasim Al Midfa

Chairman