Shurooq unveils Sir Bu Nuair Island project at ATM 2013

Dubai, May 8, 2013 (WAM) - 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. 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. 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. The island also is home to a range of different species of marine plants, as well as numerous seaweed species. Sir Bu Nuair also home to a number of important species of endangered animals and plants and is a refuge for certain wild birds such as the Alasard, the Alwaraqa, and the Alqoba, as well as by birds of prey such as the Peregrine Falcon. In addition, marine surveys and studies have identified a total of 20 species of coral in the waters surrounding the island." The island is also home to rare species of fish and coral with a total 58 species of reef fish recorded during the surveys conducted in the northern and western reef areas in the island. The Fish Gobiodon citrinus, which is a species absent from and uncommon in the Gulf and Gulf of Oman, was found in the coral reefs of Sir Bu Nuair. The Island is also refuge to many marine algae and seaweed species, as well as to a number of endangered animals and plants. The Arabian Travel Market is the premier B2B travel exhibition in the Middle East. The show provides an established international platform allowing exhibitors to reach high value customers, build their brands, and access excellent networking opportunities. Shurooq was established in 2009 with the aim of achieving social, cultural, environmental and economic development on the basis of Sharjah's distinct Arab and Islamic identity, and to encourage investment by adopting the best international standards in providing quality services that help attract investors from the region and the world. Shurooq's key mission is to provide facilities and incentives to help overcome obstacles facing investment activities in the Emirate, evaluate tourism-related infrastructure projects, and lay down the necessary plans to complete such projects. - Emirates News Agency, WAM