Sharjah holiday homes project to boost tourism

The first year will see the registration and licensing of 150 lets

A total of 150 homes will be registered in the first year of the Sharjah holiday homes project.

Sharjah has launched a regulatory framework for its Holiday Homes Project, which will allow residents to rent out homes to tourists and visitors.

The framework will see the homes registered under a unified database, and will provide users with a new source of income recognised by the Sharjah Government.

“Through Sharjah Tourism’s Holiday Homes Project, we seek to maximise visitor experience by ensuring high-quality classification standards and offering additional staycation options across the emirate of Sharjah,” said Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority.

The new framework will help diversify the sources of growth for the hospitality sector, he said.

There are estimated to be more than 300 holiday homes in Sharjah, according to the SCTDA.

A total of 150 holiday homes will be registered and licensed in the first year of the project, it said.

Owners of holiday homes will be given three months to complete the documentation process, and the residential units “can be rented out on a rotational basis, regularly”.

Tourism across the UAE has been on the rise following the coronavirus-induced slowdown.

Passenger traffic more than doubled at Sharjah Airport in the first half of the year. It recorded a total of 41,189 aircraft movements in the first half of 2022, compared with 21,709 in the same period last year, it said.

Sharjah announced new tourism projects earlier this year including a safari park and hanging gardens in the emirate’s central region.

Sharjah Safari covers an area of eight square kilometres. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National

The official opening of the Sharjah Safari Park took place on Thursday, February 17.

Sharjah Safari Park is said to be the largest safari in the world outside Africa.

It is located in Al Bridi Nature Reserve in the city of Al Dhaid in Sharjah.

Sharjah Safari is home to more than 120 species, including rare animals native to Africa, the rarest of which is the black rhinoceros.

Visitors can meet Bridi, the first African female giraffe born in Sharjah Safari. Bridi's parents arrived in Sharjah from South Africa in May 2017.

Visitors experience the safari through 12 themed 'environments', each representing a region in Africa.

More than 1,000 native and African trees, including the umbrella-shaped Acacia tortilis, have been planted across the site.

Another highlight is Wuhaida, the first female southern white rhino born in Sharjah Safari in August 2021.

Tickets start from Dh15 for children aged 3 to 12, and Dh40 for over 12s.

Sharjah Safari will be open daily from 8.30am until 6.30pm.

Sharjah Safari is located within Al Bridi Nature Reserve, created by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah.

Al Bridi reserve is located in the oasis town of Al Dhaid, about 49 kilometres from the city of Sharjah.

Visitors show up on opening day.

Sharjah Safari is a new major tourist attraction in the emirate.

Last entry is 2pm for Gold and Silver ticket holders and 4pm for those with Bronze tickets.

Indigenous creatures make their home in Sharjah Safari.

Giraffes also reside here.

On opening day, visitors to Sharjah Safari were able to see more than 1,000 animals and birds, including 70 species that are native to Africa.

Initially scheduled to open in late 2021, the launch of the UAE's latest attraction was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Animals settle into their new habitats.

Sharjah Safari's logo is a celebration of the animal kingdom. Photo: Sharjah Safari