Dubai is nowhere stopping in building engineering marvels as His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, revealed plans about a $1.7 billion tourist resort in the emirate.
Called the Marsa Al Arab, the project consists of two man-made islands sitting on both sides of Burj Al Arab, one of the tallest buildings in the world. Each island has its designation: one for entertainment and family tourism, and the other for an exclusive luxury resort.
The latest development, which covers 4 million square feet of land area, will add 2.2 kilometers of beach frontage. It will be the most recent addition to Dubai’s world-class tourist facilities.
Lots are in store for this mega-project. There will be a private yacht marina, a 2.5 million square-foot marine park, a 1,700-seater theater, a 20,000 square-meter retail space, 300 seafront residential apartments, and a helipad, among others in the islands.
Source: Dubai Holding
Construction of Marsa Al Arab aims to provide more options for family tourism, and add to the existing family entertainment services which include the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Al Naseem, Jumeirah Mina A’Salam, Jumeirah Al Qasr and Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf.
Conceptualized in line with Dubai Tourism Vision 2020, Marsa Al Arab is expected to attract more visitors, as many as 20 million, until its opening in late 2020. This project also provides a founding support to host Expo 2020 Dubai.
No word yet as to how it will be funded, but the entire project is expected to cost AED 6.3 billion or $1.7 billion.
His Excellency Abdulla Al Habbai, Chairman of global investment holding company Dubai Holding, said, “The launch of this new and ambitious project is in line with the directives of the visionary leadership to provide the finest and rewarding tourist experiences for visitors to Dubai, as well as enhance Dubai’s position as a global tourist destination.
“Dubai has achieved a global reputation for unique offerings and unprecedented achievements. This was feasible through proper planning and accurate execution of such projects, complemented by in-depth knowledge of the local market’s needs and capabilities.
“As part of strengthening local capabilities, ‘Marsa Al Arab’ will support Emiratisation in the tourism sector by providing new job opportunities and encouraging UAE Nationals to commit their innovative and creative ideas to this vital sector,” he added.
