Sharjah Update Sharjah business & Investment News from Invest in Sharjah (Sharjah FDI Office)
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A new leisure cruise ship terminal is to be built for Sharjah’s east coast Khorfakkan Port, in line with the emirate’s goals to continue to develop its cruise tourism business. Sharjah’s toursim sector is currently enjoying a successful 2014-2015 cruise season, expecting an estimated 36 international cruise ships bringing in more than 80,000 tourists.
According to local media, the east cost port has already received 22 major cruise-liners with more than 66,000 tourists on board so far this season (October 2014 to April 2015). The new cruise terminal will increase Khorfakkan Port’s capacity to handle more cruise lines and cruise tourism throughout the year.
The plans were announced by a spokesperson of Sharjah’s Department of Seaports and Customs via Sharjah Radio’s Direct Line show. According to the spokesperson, the plans for the new cruise terminal have now been approved by His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah and construction of the new terminal will begin this year.
The new cruise ship terminal is planned to be a fully-functioning terminal capable of receiving all visiting cruise ships, their passengers and crew, to include dedicated faciities for port customs, immigration authorities, police and visiting tourists.
Khorfakkan’s deep sea port has been welcoming luxury cruise-liners since the early 1980s and is becoming increasingly popular on the itineraries of international operators.
There are a number of projects currently underway to expand tourism facilities on Sharjah’s east coast including The Chedi Khorfakkan, the area’s first large-scale luxury resort, and Kalba Eco-Tourism Resort, both being developed by Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq). The Oceanic Khorfakkan Resort & Spa, one of the UAE’s most established family resorts, recently re-opened after extensive renovation and refurbishing to meet increased demand for east coast tourist resorts.
Source: Al Khaleej newspaper, media, Shurooq
