Sharjah’s Al Majaz Waterfront draws 250,000 visitors in 2 months

Sharjah’s Al Majaz Waterfront, which is the latest leisure and tourism destination in the emirate and a project of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), has attracted a huge turnout of visitors in the first months of its opening.

Shurooq revealed that Al Majaz Waterfront, its first and newest project, which opened in December, last year, has attracted more than 250,000 in January and February 2012.

The waterfront boasts seven new restaurants and cafes that overlook the Sharjah Fountain, most of which opened their branches in Sharjah for the first time. These restaurants include T.G.I Friday's, Pizzaro, Fat Burger, Baja Fresh, Caribou Coffee, Tim Hortons café and Cold Stone. Plans are underway to open more restaurants and cafes, namely Zahr El Laymoun Restaurant, Al Manazeh and Café De Roma, scheduled for opening by the end of this month.

Al Majaz Waterfront, Shurooq's debut project, is situated in the Emirate's most vital and commercial district on the picturesque Khalid Lagoon, between Jamal Abdul Nasser Street and the Khalid Lagoon Corniche, a highly populated area with an estimated population of 100,000.

With reference to the huge response of visitors to Al Majaz Waterfront,  Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO of Shurooq, said:"We have aimed right from the planning stage of this project to make the Waterfront the best leisure and tourism destination of choice benchmarked with the highest standards in order to meet the needs of Sharjah's residents and visitors from the UAE and abroad."

He pointed out that the waterfront will attract more visitors in the upcoming period, especially with the opening of the Sharjah Fountain and its daily shows, and also with the opening of more restaurants and cafes accompanied by interesting activities and events throughout the year.

Al Sarkal added: "Apart from Al Majaz Waterfront, we have planned several future tourism projects which will further enhance the Emirate's position as one of the top tourism destinations in the region and the world."

Al Majaz Waterfront boasts many landmark leisure amenities, most notably the Sharjah Musical Fountain, which was launched last month with daily spectacular musical shows. It also houses 10 restaurants and cafes overlooking the fountain, in addition to walking and jogging areas, and a mini golf court. Children can enjoy their weekend and free time at the Waterfront where special areas are specifically designated for them, such as Splash Park, the first of its kind in the Emirate, open and covered areas and play areas of the highest standards. A children's day care centre, adjacent to the play area, will also be opened soon.

The Waterfront also boasts covered areas for entertainment and cultural activities, green spaces, a distinguished mosque, kiosks for snacks and soft drinks, walking areas, public utilities and huge parking lots.

Shurooq had begun work on the construction of this project in mid 2010 with the aim of developing a leisure and tourism destination of choice benchmarked with the highest standards, in collaboration with various government departments and establishments, as well as with leading international companies. The project, which is valued at Dh120 million, spreads over an area of 231000 square feet.

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.

The Authority aims to encourage investment by adopting the best international standards in providing quality services that help attract investors from the region and the world. Its key mission is to provide necessary facilities and incentives, overcome obstacles facing investment activities in the Emirate, evaluate tourism-related infrastructure projects, and put in place the necessary plans to complete such projects.

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