Sharjah Launches Dhs80m Leisure Island Project To Attract Tourists

The island will consist of a Butterfly House, a literature pavilion and art sculptures, the emirate's agency said in a statement.

Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) has launched Al Noor Island, a leisure island project in the emirate in a push to attract more tourists.

Valued at Dhs80 million, Al Noor Island is located in Khalid Lagoon and extends over an area of 45,470 square metres.

The island will consist of a Butterfly House that will house 500 species of butterlies, a Literature Pavilion, a children’s playground and an egg-shaped OVO art sculpture.

The project will also include a pontoon, a docking space for boats that will transport visitors of Al Qasba, Al Majaz Waterfront and Heart of Sharjah from one destination to another, and eight art sculptures by some of the world’s most renowned artists.

There will also be a bridge to link the main entrance with the island which will enable visitors to walk through the 3500-metre Al Noor Walkway and tour the different attractions and facilities of the island.

Construction work on the island is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of this year, Shurooq said in a statement.

“The launch of Al Noor Island will give a further boost to Sharjah as a premier tourism destination, sought after by visitors from the UAE and beyond,” said Mohammed Ali Al Noman, chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA).

“The project highlights the emirate’s position as cultural, tourism and investment destination, reflects the architectural style in the emirate and emphasizes its attention to culture and art.”

Al Noman added that the project is also part of Sharjah’s aim to attract 10 million tourists by 2021. The emirate is also aggressively developing leisure and cultural projects to boost its tourist numbers.

Sharjah currently has leisure projects such as Al Qasba, Al Majaz Waterfront, Al Montazah – Amusement and Water Park, The Flag Island and Heart of Sharjah.

Projects such as Al Jabal Resort, The Chedi Khorfakkan and Kalba Eco-tourism Project are currently underway.