Sharjah: The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority, Shurooq, announced its latest Dh80 million tourism project today (May 5) on Al Noor island in Sharjah’s Khalid Lagoon.
The island, which extends over an area of 45,470 square metres, is the Arab world’s first island to combine nature, art and entertainment.
The launch of the project is in line with the vision of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and falls in the same year Sharjah was selected the Capital of Arab Tourism 2015.
“The project comes as part of our commitment to develop the emirate, raise its economic and social merits and reinforce its position as a leading cultural, tourism and investment destination in the region that serves the ambition of its residents and visitors and meets their interests,” said Shaikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Shurooq.
The announcement of the new project was made during a press conference held at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai World Trade Centre.
Set to serve as a recreational destination for the emirate’s residents and visitors, Al Noor Island consists of a uniquely designed, covered and streamlined structure inspired by butterflies’ natural environment. It also includes a pedestrian bridge that will serve as an entrance to the island, and a Literature Pavilion on the opposite side of the island, which will include an open seating area for writers, intellectuals and bookworms. There will also be a children’s playground and an egg-shaped OVO Art Sculpture that has been displayed in major cities around the world. The island is designed to allow visitors to discover natural life across a spacious area covered by lighting and vegetation, which will operate on innovative technology.
One of the destination’s main attractions, the Butterfly House, is a nature-inspired structure with a shadow roof, biomorphic exterior, and green light and plant-covered walls. The Butterfly House hosts as many as 500 exotic butterflies brought from Far East Asian countries, including the Danaus chrysippus, also known as the African monarch, the Doleschallia bisaltide, also known as Autumn Leaf, and the Pachliopta aristolochiae or rose butterfly, which is extensively found across South East Asia and is known for its bright colours. The island will also have access to the seaside stage for boats, which will transport visitors of Al Qasba, Al Majaz Waterfront and Heart of Sharjah from one destination to another.
“Keeping up with the developments of projects and the launch of development initiatives will contribute to increasing tourist flow to the emirate, and achieving the emirate’s vision, which aims to attract 10 million visitors by 2021,” said Mohammad Ali Al No’man, Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA).
Construction work on the island is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of this year.
The new project is predicted to be one of the premier tourist and leisure destinations in the emirate and the UAE, and a venue for hosting and organising various events and activities.
