For Sharjah, 'slow travel' boom pays off - new eco-retreat to launch in Q4-25

Dubai: Sharjah's investments in the 'slow travel' trend is paying off.

The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority - known popularly as Shurooq - has pumped in more than Dh300 million to build the 'Sharjah Collection' of eco-tourism focused hospitality retreats.

The 7 destinations offer a combined 154 luxury units in locations such as coastal mangroves and desert dunes, as well as mountain valleys and heritage villages.

"This investment directly taps into the booming global demand for wellness-focused travel," said Shurooq in a statement.

Global wellness tourism is expected to exceed $1 trillion by end of this year, while the ‘slow travel’ movement itself is growing at around 10% annually.

The trend is 'redefining how travellers engage with destinations, placing value on time, tranquility, and cultural depth'. (The influential Condé Nast Traveller has named 'slow travel' one of the defining travel trends of 2025.)

Sharjah had an 11% year-on-year growth in hotel guest numbers for 2024, with international occupancy continuing to rise this year.

"Whether it was desert dunes, mountain ranges, or coastal landscapes, Sharjah’s natural diversity has provided fertile ground for hospitality projects," said Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, CEO of Shurooq.

"The Sharjah Collection is a strategic expression of this vision."

Sharjah's 7 eco-retreats

The Al Faya Retreat is set in the Mleiha desert and repurposes two 1960s buildings into a boutique retreat of five rooms.

• In Kalba, The Kingfisher Retreat is located in a coastal mangrove reserve, offering 40 sea-facing luxury tents.

• And at the Mleiha National Park (MNP), the Moon Retreat is popular as a 'glamping' destination, offering 10 geodesic domes and six premium tents.

• The Al Badayer Retreat, set in Sharjah’s 'iconic' red dunes, has 46 units that deliver dune adventures, camel rides, and 'desert tranquillity'.

• The Najd Al Meqsar in Khorfakkan’s Wadi Wishi features seven luxury heritage units built within restored homes over 100 years old overlooking mountains. Done in collaboration with 'Mubadara', the retreat includes access to a 300-year-old fort and hiking trails leading to Al Rafisah Dam.

• In the nearby center of Khorfakkan, the Al Rayaheen Retreat has 19 restored heritage homes, which were redesigned in collaboration with the Sharjah Institute for Heritage. .

• And launching in Q4-2025, the Nomad will bring a new eco-retreat concept to Sharjah's east coast. Situated in Kalba’s mountain valleys - and near the Kalba Nature Reserve - the retreat will feature 20 solar-powered luxury trailers. The 'off-grid design provides full immersion into nature while safeguarding local ecosystems'. And a 'no-wifi, lights-off approach enhances digital disconnection and night-sky visibility.'

And there you have the perfect mix for a 'slow travel' getaway.