Popular as a year-round exhibition ground in Sharjah, Al Shaab Village is soon facilitating more interesting features and converting it to an indoor playground where guests can enjoy the premises with more rides aimed at wooing youngsters.
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Al Shaab Village’s discount booklet, especially made for the travel agents, tour operators, hoteliers and other partners, has become very popular as it brings in a lot more value for the visitors. Generally, the outdoor park was enjoyed by youngsters during school holidays but now they have a new plan of action where they have extended a special partnership with schools within the area. The state of-the-art exhibition centre has many offerings for the entire family. During the time of national holidays they run special campaigns that offer valuable prizes and surprises to the visitors that enjoy the premises. Housing the largest ice rink is no easy task but the dedication of the Al Shaab team with hands on CEO Abdulla Al Dah, the centre keeps going from strength to strength.
Their presence at international exhibitions along with the Sharjah Tourism Development Authority enables them to build and strengthen partnerships with many feeder markets that prefer to visit the destination of Sharjah. Residents from Sharjah, GCC and other emirates are regular visitors who keep soaring the numbers. Over the past few years they have witnessed over 250,000 visitors monthly and their new refurbishment plan, set to take place very soon, will place them on an even higher level as there is nothing similar in the emirate.
The term “village” is used to ensure that Sharjah’s cultural identity is maintained and preserved. Housing the first and largest ice rink in the emirate of Sharjah with over 240 stands, 52 products on food, textile, cosmetics, uniforms, accessories, perfumes etc. for the entire family, Al Shaab Village has an edge over all the malls in the emirate as it has both indoor and outdoor amusement parks but after the outdoor park is turned to an air conditioned indoor park with interesting rides they are sure to receive a lot more visitors who would prefer to spend their time. The state-of-the-art seven screen multiplex cinemas operated by Oscar cinemas provide entertainment for the visitors with a mix of Arabic, English and Hindi movies.
Abdulla Al Dah, Chief Executive Officer, Al Shaab Village, says, “As you know, we like to preserve the cultural heritage of Sharjah yet offer something unique to our visitors who seek novel ideas and facilities. Once we refurbish the fully-integrated state-of-the-art facility into an indoor permanent exhibition centre to be enjoyed by residents and tourists right throughout the year with interesting activities we are sure to attract more visitor numbers. From outside, the building displays traditional architecture but you enter into a state-of-the-art modern ambience. We are the first to have an ice rink in the emirate of Sharjah which can be enjoyed by the whole family. We want the tourists and residents of Sharjah to be amazed by the offerings in store and ensure that they return for more in their next visit. Our participation at roadshows with Sharjah tourism and the international exhibitions like ITB Berlin, WTM and ATM in Dubai provide us more networking opportunities to ensure the growth of visitor numbers. Most travel agents and tour operators who have brought in their clients have left with a very positive attitude. I have a very good and supportive team that partakes in strengthening the facility.”