Mleiha is the destination to be in Sharjah

dubai - Sharjah will soon boast of a new luxury resort that will combine eco-tourism with the traditional concept of Arabian hospitality

Sharjah will soon boast of a new luxury resort that will combine eco-tourism with the traditional concept of Arabian hospitality.

Located in Mleiha, the desert resort is a Dh60 million project launched by the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) and Al Wanis, a Qatari tourism company established in Sharjah.

The Mleiha Desert Resort is the latest in Shurooq's initiatives to put Sharjah on the map when it comes to experiential travel and eco-tourism. The resort will offer a full range of hotel services, restaurants, cafés, a health club, swimming pool and many other hospitality facilities associated with a world-class resort. The new luxury hospitality project encompasses a total area of 300,000sqm, of which the resort will encompass a total area of 60,000sqm.

The resort will include 45 vacation villas, modelled on classical desert marquees, each with its own deck and private swimming pool. The Royal Suite, which is one of four living options at the resort, encompasses a space of 167sqm and includes two rooms and a private swimming pool. Additional options include the King Suite, the Junior Suite, and the Standard Suite. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2019.

Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO of Shurooq, described the move as a major boost to Sharjah's ambitious eco-tourism projects, which are set to appeal to a global audience.

Sustaining investment
"The new resort has marked a new milestone in our development efforts for the Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-tourism project, since we've announced the area's multiple investment opportunities for hotel and commercial operators many years ago. Our goals are not simply to encourage investment, but also to sustain it."

The number of hotel guests in Sharjah is growing at an annual rate of 13 per cent, while hotel revenues are up by 12.3 per cent. Revenues are expected to reach Dh687 million by the end of this year, and by the end of 2019, that figure is predicted to reach approximately Dh830 million.

- rohma@khaleejtimes.com