THE emirate of Sharjah in the UAE is pressing ahead with three major tourism initiatives worth a total of Dh920 million ($250 million).
The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) said that it will develop the Al Hisn Island in Dibba Al Hisn, following the approval of the project by Sharjah’s Ruler HH Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi.
The new initiative brings the number of projects being undertaken by Shurooq in the Eastern and coastal regions of Sharjah to three, including the recently announced Dh420 million ($114 million) Chedi Khorfakkan Resort and the Kalba Eco-tourism project.
Shurooq CEO Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal said that the development in Dibba Al Hisn will be a leisure and tourism project.
“It will be new unique destination for Dibba Al Hisn’s residents, as well as visitors and tourists from the neighbouring areas,” he was quoted as saying.
The project will include a big water canal and a number of cafes and restaurants with stunning views on the canal, parks, children areas, as well as a number of various other facilities.
Al Sarkal also said that Sharjah’s Ruler of Sharjah has approved the commercial complex master plan of Kalba Eco-tourism project, which will be located alongside Kalba Lake and will comprise a number of restaurants, retail outlets, children games, parks, and places to monitor animals and birds in the reserves.
“Work is underway in collaboration with the Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah and a number of experts to prepare the area environmentally for the animals and plants which will be in the project,” he said, adding that engineers and environmental specialists were conducting the necessary studies and research to carry out the project to the highest international environmental standards and develop the project to help protect the area and its various environmental components.
The Kalba Eco-tourism project is being implemented in three phases, the first of which will see the redevelopment of natural reserves in Kalba (Hafiya and Al Qurm natural reserves), the release of rare animals and birds and the establishment of a centre within the reserve for visitors, as well as the restoration of archaeological sites within the project.
The second phase of the project will involve the development of Kalba Lake and the construction of a commercial complex featuring shops and restaurants overlooking the Lake.
This phase will also comprise the development of a number of islands in the creek, as well as rehabilitation to revive their natural marine and bird life.
Phase three has been designated for the tourism part of the project, which will see the setting up of a number of hotels and chalets overlooking the Gulf of Oman.
More than 300 rooms spanning the hotels and chalets would be built in line with eco-friendly standards.
Sarkal also said that Shurooq is conducting studies to develop the Khorfakkan Corniche.
Shurooq also intends to develop a new leisure project in Al Badayer in the Central Region.
The project will be comprised of an integrated and self-sustained tourism complex that will include a number of restaurants and cafes, in addition to a tourist information centre, outdoor theatre, camel and horse riding areas, cycling areas, Bedouin style seating areas, walking, resting, and barbecue areas, as well as tourist reception stations.