Al Sarkal: "these activities will uniquely add to the emirate's rich portfolio of tourist attractions"

Sharjah, 7 March 2012 - Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) has announced the launch of the tour bus initiative in cooperation with City sightseeing worldwide - The world's leading city tour bus company.

The Authority which is participating in the International Tourism Bourse (ITB) the Messe Berlin Germany also announced that Shurooq would launch the Seaplane initiative in collaboration with Seawings - the largest flying boat company in the UAE.

Speaking on the occasion, H.E Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO of Shurooq, said: "We are pleased to announce two unique tourism activities which will add to our vast portfolio. The reason we were keen to unveil the two initiatives at the ITB Berlin show - the world's leading B2B-Platform of all tourism industry, is because all the international companies from the tourism and travel sector will be present and therefore our initiatives will receive worldwide attention."

Regarding the tour bus initiative, Al Sarkal said: "We signed a cooperation agreement with the City sightseeing worldwide company to equip tour buses in line with the latest world-class specifications so as to provide a distinguished product  that would  offer a comfortable means of transport and help  boost the tourism industry in the Emirate introducing Sharjah's tourist, cultural and heritage".

He said that three tour busses will be available in the first phase of the initiative and will be operational during the current year. The details of the initiative, as well as the routes, destinations, timings and costs of tours will be revealed in the near future.

With reference to the Seaplane Initiative, Al Sarkal said: "The initiative involves operating seaplane tours in cooperation with Seawings - which will offer tourists the opportunity to take an aerial sightseeing tour From Dubai , land in Sharjah and subsequently a tour of the various heritage areas in Sharjah to view iconic landmarks - the Seaplane flights will become operational in Sharjah The Initiative will offer the Emirate's residents and tourists the opportunity to take an aerial viewing of Sharjah's landmarks".

Seawings will offer a 40 minute "dock to dock" excursion flying from Dubai to Sharjah.

At the Al Majaz Waterfront, visitors can enjoy and sample delicious cuisines and various flavors at landmark restaurants and cafes, and take a trip aboard a wooden boat across Khalid Lagoon and Al Qasba Water Canal, and then back to Dubai on the same seaplane.

Al Sarkal stressed that these initiatives would undoubtedly add uniquely to the Emirate's tourist assets, especially in view of the new initiatives being developed in the Emirate and will increase the flow of  tourism.

Shurooq was established in 2009 with the aim of achieving social, cultural, environmental and economic development on the basis of Sharjah's distinct Arab and Islamic identity, so as to encourage investment by adopting the best international standards in providing quality services that help attract investors from the region and the world. The Authority's key mission is to provide facilities and incentives which will overcome obstacles facing investment activities in the Emirate, evaluate tourism-related infrastructure projects, and to lay down the necessary plans to complete such initiatives.

-Ends-

For more information, please contact:
Yousef Al Taweel
Account Manager    
Sahara PR    
Tel: +971 4 3298996
Fax: +971 4 3298995
Mob: +971 55 50 66 111
Email: yousuf@saharagcc.com
Web Site: www.saharagcc.com

© Press Release 2012