Shurooq organizes media trip to Eastern Coast of Sharjah

The three-day trip included visits to Khorfakkan and Kalba cities.

The 35 journalists from various local and Arab newspapers and magazines visited the sites of The Chedi Khorfakkan Resort and Kalba Ecotourism project in addition to Al Ghail archaeological fort in Kalba city.

HE Marwan bin Jassim Al Serkal, CEO of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), who joined the journalists during the trip, said, "We seized this opportunity to meet and strengthen social ties with the media representatives and reflect the spirit of one team which we share. Our relations with media have been excellent since the establishment of Shurooq. The outstanding efforts and continued support of journalists have been highly instrumental in developing our business and achieving our numerous successes."

He added, "The organisation of this trip is in line with Shurooq's belief in constant communication between various media and both the dedicated people of Shurooq and its senior management in order to provide the local media community more comprehensive information about the tourist sites being developed by Shurooq such as Kalba Ecotourism, The Chedi Khorfakkan and many other tourist attractions."

Al Sarkal said, "We are aware of the effective role played responsible journalism in raising awareness of the tourism and ecotourism sectors and the efforts exerted by various media. This trip gave a great opportunity to meet and communicate with journalists outside the work environment. We were keen to prepare for this trip early enough to ensure maximum enjoyment and fun for the journalists. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the journalists for their cooperation and great response during the trip. The goal of boosting the role of journalists as partners in and supporters of the UAE's success was achieved."

He emphasized, "One of the trip's main objectives was to give a chance to journalists to escape from their work routine and have fun." He stressed, "The importance of providing the fresh and accurate information needed by journalists working in tourism and service sectors and keeping them updated with the latest developments." He said, "The field visits to these major tourist sites would help promote and draw attention to these sites."

During the three-day trip, journalists visited Al Ghail Fort in Kalba, where a UAE traditional evening party was held, which included folklore band show, local food and a number of competitions and prizes giving journalists and their families a chance to have a lot of fun.

In the second day, journalists visited Khorfakkan, where they enjoyed beach and sea sport activities such as Banana boat riding, parasailing, football and volleyball, in addition to many children's games. Later, the group visited the heritage village, while the third stop was at the Kalba Ecotourism project which is being developed by Shurooq in collaboration with Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority.

The project includes a number of natural reserves and retail and leisure facilities. Journalists enjoyed riding row boats in the mangroves, riding mountain bikes and playing archery games. At the end of the trip, journalists were honoured in recognition of their outstanding efforts and positive cooperation.

Shurooq has been keen to ensure early coordination of through the presence of a number of renowned journalists to join the trip. The authority strongly believes in the role played by media in advancing the development by promoting the tourism sector and supporting economic plans and programmes.

Al Sarkal hailed the efforts of various government departments including the Municipal Council in Kalba, the Municipal Council in Khorfakkan, the Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority, and the Heritage Directorate, which significantly contributed to make the trip a success.

Participants expressed their heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for this gesture from Shurooq's management to boost cooperation between the authority and journalists. They were thrilled to join this exciting trip which gave everyone a chance to mix in an out of work environment, and hoped that such activities will be held on a regular basis in the future.

They were impressed with the picturesque views and described Khorfakkan and Kalba as ideal models of tourist sites, blessed by natural beauty and serenity and boasting a variety of resorts that draw the attention of tourists wishing to enjoy nature.

They added that such sites must see more tourist influx and must be promoted on regional and international levels, praising the efforts exerted by Shurooq in developing such mega projects as the three phase Kalba ecotourism development and The Chedi Khorfakkan resort.