Khaleej Times

Your new eco-friendly spot in Sharjah

- Staff Report

sharjah — The Sharjah Investment and Developmen­t Authority (Shurooq) has begun implementi­ng the Kalba Kingfisher Lodge, its latest ground-breaking eco-tourism project in collaborat­ion with the Sharjah Environmen­t and Protected Areas Authority.

Shurooq said that the five-star hospitabil­ity project, featuring a tented camp that offers unique experience­s within the mangrove nature reserve in the heart of Kalba’s natural beauty, is the perfect addition to its strategy of promoting environmen­t-friendly tourism.

The Kingfisher Lodge, due to be completed by the end of the first half of 2017, will house 20 luxury tents. With a private swimming pool for each tent, the accommodat­ion is designed to provide guests with comfort, privacy and amazing views overlookin­g the Indian Ocean and a forest of mangrove trees surroundin­g the lodge — also home to a number of kingfisher­s and a host of flora and fauna.

With an ambience of luxury and convenienc­e, the Kingfisher Lodge will include an outdoor yoga and wellness centre and a range of public facilities, including an informatio­n desk, a reception lounge, restaurant­s and outdoor recreation­al areas. The tented lodge is being constructe­d in compliance with the highest global standards of green and sustainabl­e building in order to have minimal impact on the surroundin­g environmen­t.

Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO of Shurooq, said: “There are so many parts of Sharjah which qualify as outstandin­g areas of natural beauty and we have identified that there are numerous hospitalit­y opportunit­ies which could cater to that market. We understand that there are a growing number of eco-tourists, and a shift in trends towards visitors who want to enjoy incredible natural surroundin­gs in a luxury environmen­t. The Kalba Kingfisher Lodge is an ideal fit for that market.”

“Shurooq has a long-term commitment to the implementa­tion of sustainabl­e and eco-friendly projects as well as tourist and leisure destinatio­ns, most notably the Mleiha Archeologi­cal and Ecotourism project and Kalba Eco-Tourism Project.”

In order to abide by its commitment to environmen­tal sustainabi­lity and the protection of the surroundin­g environmen­t, Shurooq decided that constructi­on work should be completed outside the reserve and then ready-made structures and components transferre­d and installed at the project site to avoid the harmful impact of constructi­on waste on the natural environmen­t.

— business@khaleejtim­es.com

 ?? Supplied photo ?? The Kingfisher Lodge offers unique experience­s within the mangrove nature reserve in the heart of Kalba’s natural beauty. —
Supplied photo The Kingfisher Lodge offers unique experience­s within the mangrove nature reserve in the heart of Kalba’s natural beauty. —

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Arab Emirates