Shurooq unveils Sir Bu Nuair Island project at ATM 2013
The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) unveiled the plans for its latest project - Sir Bu Nuair Island, the first integrated tourism project within the islands in the Emirate of Sharjah, and one of the most important marine protected areas in the UAE. The announcement was made during a press conference held at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM2013) in the presence of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq).
Shurooq announced that the project will be developed at a cost of half a billion Emirati Dirhams by the year 2017 with the aim of boosting Sharjah’s travel and leisure sector with further tourist attractions and forms part of Shurooq’s strategy to develop eco-tourism projects around Sharjah.
The development of the Sir Bu Nuair Island also comes in line with Shurooq’s commitment to sustainable development, and developing various sectors in the Emirate, specifically the tourism sector.
The tourism project, uniquely located in the heart of Arabian Gulf and enjoys natural and environmental significance, will include a luxury five-star hotel & resort, hotel apartments and villas, a camping village for those who love camping, retail shops, a souk, dedicated family areas, an amphitheatre, a museum, a mosque, an education centre, a harbour and an airport.
HE Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), said, "Sharjah is witnessing impressive growth in its tourism sector, whether in terms of its numerous new tourism projects or the increasing number of visitors. Shurooq seeks to continuously boost and support this growth through the development of exceptional facilities and high quality services, so as to highlight Sharjah as a unique tourist destination for tourism investments in the region and the Middle East."
He went on to add, "The development of Sir Bu Nuair is in line with Shurooq’s strategy to create a large variety of truly unique destinations within Sharjah that will further differentiate the Emirate as a premier leisure destination in the UAE and the region."
In a presentation delivered during the press conference, HE Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), shared the details of the project, saying, "Sir Bu Nuair Island is predominantly uninhabited. It is located 65km off the UAE coastline on the Arabian Gulf, and covers an area of about 13 km2. Travelling to the island takes 2-3 hours by sea, 25 minutes by airplane from Jebel Ali and Abu Dhabi, and 40 minutes from Sharjah. It has been a natural habitat for turtles for over 2000 years and boasts a vibrant marine ecosystem. The island is protected due to its significant environmental features, including geological formations, natural flora and marine birds, and is characterised by its unspoilt natural scenery. Our aim is to develop Sir Bu Nuair into a unique island destination; one that offers a mix of high-end luxury and comfort, one that fosters a genuine sense of community, and one that captures the region’s vibrancy and cultural heritage in its architecture and offerings."
Shurooq CEO outlined the key components of the development namely, the redevelopment of the island in terms of environmental aspects; the building of new commercial and entertainment features to complement the area; the beautification of the island in terms of landscaping; and the enhancement of tourism by offering a true experience and understanding of the island’s cultural treasures through various events and activities.
In terms of the architecture, specifically, Al Sarkal, said, "Sir Bu Nuair seeks to recreate the vibrant social, commercial and community fabric found in small port towns around the world, in a manner that is aligned with our traditions and the values of the region. Our vision is that the architecture will reflect Emirati contemporary design that reflects the style, composition, and nuances of a traditional Arabic village, comprising of low-rise buildings that look and feel like a natural part of the island environment."
A favourite diving and snorkelling destination due to the bio-diversity and its coral reef, Sir Bu Nuair Island also offers a number of other attractions. It is home to an annual environmental and sporting competition where fishermen, divers and seamen take part in a three-day treasure hunt and various sporting, cultural, heritage and environmental activities. It is also the starting point of the penultimate leg of the Al Gaffal Dhow Race, where one hundred 60ft dhows (traditional sailing boats) compete in a race from Sir Bu Nuair to Dubai.
"With the island’s delicate ecosystem in mind, and continuing our steadfast commitment to sustainable development, Shurooq is programming environmental and conservation education into our developments. We are taking a proactive role to protect our natural assets, and we are carefully planning to minimise our impact and ensure sustainability," Al Sarkal said.
"Sir Bu Nuair Island is beautiful, healthy, rich and extensive in ecological diversity as well as heritage. We are extremely excited about this project and, as always, will be focused on delivering quality that will exceed both client and visitor expectations while maintaining environmental sustainability," he added.
Highlighting the historical significance of Sir Bu Nuair Island, Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairman of Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), said in a speech during the press conference, "Sir Bu Nuair is one of the most important environmentally protected areas in Sharjah. The Emirate of Sharjah has continually established establish various natural reserves during the past years, in its effort to safeguard the Emirate’s biodiversity and natural environment, which tops the list of priorities and interests of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah."
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