UAE: Sharjah Tourism Opens East Coast Office Before Winter Tourism Season

Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) has opened a new tourism office and information center in Khorfakkan, in advance of the winter tourism season. Located on Sharjah’s Indian Ocean coast, Khorfakkan Port has been a destination for luxury cruise-liners since the early 1980s and has become an increasingly popular tourist destination and a focus of Sharjah’s tourism development strategy.

Sharjah is investing in a number of tourism infrastructure projects in Khorfakkan such as Al Jabal Resort, Chedi Khorfakkan, Khorfakkan Flag Square, Khorfakkan Corniche and a new cruise ship terminal to increase the Khorfakkan Port’s capacity in order to handle more cruise lines and cruise tourism throughout the year.

Normally disembarking some 60,000 – 70,000 passengers throughout the December to April cruise season, cruise tourism forms an integral part of Sharjah’s tourism development strategy, Tourism Vision 2021, which aims to attract more than 10 million tourists to the emirate by year 2021.

Among the cruise ships expected during the coming season is MSC Cruises‘ newly refurbished 333 metre (1,039 ft.) MSC Splendida, which is equipped with 1,637 cabins and able to carry more than 3,300 passengers.

Khorfakkan also expects to welcome TUI Cruises‘ 293 metre (961 ft.) Mein Schiff 5 and Costa Cruises‘ Costa Mediterranea, which are able to carry 2,534 and 2,114 passengers respectively.

The new SCTDA office will also be responsible for promoting the nearby coastal town of Kalba, where there are already a wide range of projects being developed to enhance the east coast’s tourism appeal.

The largest integrated infrastructure development is Kalba Eco-Tourism Project, led by Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), which combines modern tourism facilities and attractions with environmental conservation.

The new tourism office is expected to offer a comprehensive range of services to help increase awareness about Sharjah’s tourist attractions, provide assistance for tourist groups and tourism companies, while acting as a tourism information centre.



Tourism Observer

UAE: Mleiha Archaeological And Eco-tourism Project Opened

The first phase of the Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-tourism Project, which includes the Mleiha Archaeological Centre, has been officially opened by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. The tourism and heritage project, located in an area of natural beauty 50km to the east of Sharjah city, is being developed by Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq).

The Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-tourism Project falls under (Shurooq)’s strategy to attract investment to the Central and Eastern regions of Sharjah, creating jobs and business opportunities for the local community. An estimated AED 250 million (US$ 69m) is expected to be invested in Mleiha over the next few years. Other Shurooq developments in Sharjah’s Central and Eastern regions include Kalba Eco-Tourism Project, the largest eco-tourism development in the region; Al Hisn Island, a leisure and tourist attraction located in Dibba Al Hisn; and Al Badayer Desert Camp, a desert tourism resort set in the picturesque sand dunes of central Sharjah.

The first phase of the Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-tourism project includes the Mleiha Archaeological Centre, designed to allow visitors to gain a deeper insight into the history of the ancient settlement. The centre houses displays of historical artefacts, educational information, multimedia presentations, a café and lounge areas, an “I Love Sharjah” gift shop, other tourist facilities and administration offices.

First excavated in 1986, Mleiha is one of the most diverse archeological sites in the region with remains of Iron Age, Hellenistic and post-Hellenistic settlements. Artefacts found in Mlieha include pottery from Greece and goods from across the Arab world indicating that the area was a prosperous and influential entrepôt connected to other trading posts in the region by camel caravans. The site also shows evidence of iron and copper work and other manufacturing. Recent discoveries of a monumental tower tomb in Mleiha (the Umm Al-Nar Tomb), have dated the ancient settlement as far back as the 3rd millennium B.C.

Visitors to Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-tourism Project can expect a unique and rewarding experience, where they can learn about the rich archaeological and cultural heritage of the area and enjoy the breathtaking natural scenery. The destination will provide various sporting activities, guided tours to sights such as Fossil Rock, Camel Rock and the Valley of the Caves, hiking, biking, horse-riding and camping experiences such as the “Struggle for Survival” camp and the ”Hammock”camp.

Shurooq will soon embark on phase two of the Mleiha project, which includes the creation of a 450 square kilometre Mleiha National Desert Park in collaboration with the UAE’s Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA). There are also plans to reintroduce wildlife that was previously indigenous to the area, such as the Arabian Oryx, the Arabian Tahr, the Arabian sand gazelle (or Al Reem) and the Damani gazelle.

The second phase of the project will also create a Night Camping Park, a motel for overnight stays and an astronomy observatory in cooperation with the Sharjah Centre for Astronomy and Space Sciences. A number of locations are being allocated for tourist resorts and bed and breakfast style hotels, which will be offered to private sector investors.

Mleiha has been nominated for the UNESCO World Heritage List, in recognition for the area’s natural beauty, biodiversity and archeological treasures.