Arguably Dubai's boldest project to date, Dubailand is set to revolutionise the city's tourism appeal through the creation of a theme and leisure park twice the size of Disneyland. Ben Smalley reports.

Dubai has unveiled plans for the region's biggest tourism project - Dubailand - which will combine theme parks, world-class sporting facilities, shopping and entertainment on a scale never seen before. To be built in phases over an area measuring two billion square feet, Dubailand will include 45 major projects and 200 sub-projects appealing to people of all ages and all walks of life.

From water parks and white-knuckle roller coasters to sports stadiums and the world's biggest shopping mall, the scope of the project is huge, and has been designed to boost Dubai's growing reputation as a global holiday destination and attract even more international visitors to the emirate.

Execution of the project is already underway, with the first phase expected to open to the public by late 2006. It is being managed by the Dubai Development and Investment Authority (DDIA), which has set up the Dubai Tourism Development Company to act as the operating company of Dubailand.

Announcing the massive project, General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister, said: "This perfectly complements Dubai's strategic plans to add more depth to the tourism sector and contribute towards transforming the city into one of the top tourist destinations internationally."

He said the projects and initiatives that have been launched in Dubai in recent times, from the expansion of the airport to Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and The Palm, have all had three things in common.

"They have been bold. They have been strategic and to succeed, they have depended on utilising relative competitive advantages."

Dubailand will strengthen the bond between the government and private sector. The government intends to spend around Dh 2.6 billion on its infrastructure, while the private sector will develop and run the attractions.

Salem bin Dasmal, Chief Executive of the Dubai Tourism Development Company, said Dubailand will also see the construction of 50 new hotels and resorts to cater to the expected 200,000 visitors it will receive each day.

"Dubailand will be double the size of Disneyworld and 100 times the size of Monaco," he said. "The facility will be of a much larger magnitude and will have much more to offer than any other amusement park. It will redefine leisure tourism in the region and help Dubai become the ultimate fun and leisure centre of Middle East, and the only one between Hong Kong and France."

Dubailand is being developed along the Emirates Road, next to Nad Al Sheba, Al Qouz and Al Barsha, which gives it the advantage of easy access from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates.

"The 50 new hotels and resorts, each housing between 1,000 and 2,000 rooms, will help Dubai realise the government's Vision 2010, when Dubai will cater to 15 million visitors a year," Mr bin Dasmal added. " The Dubailand project will take between 10 and 15 years to complete, however, some sections will be operational by 2006-07."

He said there has already been strong interest from local, Gulf and international investors, with a number of companies already committed to developing various aspects of Dubailand, which have been divided into six distinct zones - Attractions & Experience World, Sports & Outdoor World. Eco-Tourism World, Themed Leisure & Vacation World, Retail & Entertainment World and Downtown.

Attractions & Experience World

At the heart of the Dubailand project, Attractions & Experience World has been designed as a family entertainment zone featuring theme and water parks, roller coasters and adventure. It will cover approximately 145 million square feet, with its largest theme park acting as an anchor to attract visitors and encourage the growth of visits to other attractions within the zone and Dubailand as a whole.

"With a combination of indoor and outdoor areas, it will provide a versatile year-round destination showcasing awe-inspiring attractions, white-knuckle rides and state-of-the-art roller coasters utilising the latest technology for thrills and safety," a spokesman said.

The first major project to be announced for the zone is the Aqua Dubai Water Park, a 2.7 million square foot resort being developed by the Dubai-based Al Sharq Group at a cost of Dh750 million. The water park, which will be completed in stages extending up to 2010, will have over 60 water-themed leisure activities, as well as a 500-room resort.

There will also be dedicated areas for a luxury spa, water shows and an aquarium, while a submarine ride will be accompanied by a virtual reality show that will take visitors on a tour beneath the waves.

Sports & Outdoor World

Building on Dubai's rich and varied sporting calendar, Sports & Outdoor World will be a high-energy destination of heroes and champions. Incorporating Dubai Sports City, it will become the focus for sporting action in the emirate and attract high-profile international events, as well as becoming a centre for sporting excellence.
Dubai Sports City will include state-of-the-art stadiums for soccer, athletics, tennis, hockey, cricket, an indoor sports stadium and an 18-hole championship golf course, and is being developed on 50 million square feet of land at an estimated cost of Dh7 billion.

The project is being spearheaded by three of the UAE's leading businessmen, Abdul Rahim Al Zarooni, Abdul Rahman Bukhatir and Abdul Rehman Falaknaz, and has already attracted some of modern sport's biggest brand names as associate partners.

A memorandum of understanding has been signed with Manchester United Football Club to run and manage a permanent football academy, which will be attached to a multi-purpose outdoor stadium with a seating capacity of 25,000.
The region's first David Lloyd Tennis Academy, a training centre of excellence developed by Britain's former Davis Cup skipper and tennis ace will be another attraction, while South African golfing superstar Ernie Els will design an 18-hole championship golf course.

Khalid Al Zarooni, President of Dubai Sports City, said: "We are in serious negotiations with international bodies representing cricket and hockey, and hope shortly to announce additional world-class academies serving these two important sports."

Other aspects of Sports & Outdoor World include Racing World, a world-class racing circuit that will host major motor sports events in conjunction with regional clubs and international motor racing organisations, and Extreme Sports World, which will offer the world's first state-of-the-art venue for all action sports, including BMX and skate parks, roller-blading, skate-boarding, dune buggies, and indoor climbing walls.

Eco-Tourism World

A natural world marvelling at the beauty of our planet, Eco-Tourism World will comprise a series of nature and desert-based attractions integrated within their desert parkland surroundings.

"Its experiential and cultural activities will be in delightful contrast to many parts of Dubailand by offering a haven of calm and tranquillity and skilfully blending education, entertainment and experience," the spokesman said.

Dubai Heritage Vision - a joint venture between Heritage Vision France and the Dutco Group - has signed up to create an authentic 'Desert Village Oasis' on 380 hectares of desert in the Nad Al Sheba area which will serve as a permanent showcase of local and Middle East culture.

Among the other attractions planned for Eco-Tourism World are tropical bio-domes, desert camps and an interactive Science and History Museum. Nearby desert villas and a luxury desert camp will provide accommodation with the desert landscape as a stunning backdrop.

Themed Leisure & Vacation World

A relaxing world of spas, health and well-being, Themed Leisure & Vacation World is designed to respond to the growing international demand for quality vacation villages, resort hotels and wellness retreats.

"It will include several fitness and stress-management focused facilities, and will offer unique creative concepts, such as themed resorts, providing visitors a chance to experience faraway exotic locales without leaving Dubailand," a spokesman said.
Exclusive spas and fitness centres will offer holistic treatments tailor-made for each visitor, with professional staff at hand to provide effective and enjoyable programs that refresh, rejuvenate and re-energise.

As a unique development within Dubailand, Women's World will offer a secluded oasis of indulgence created exclusively for women, with an entirely female staff. It will include a teaching academy providing home, business and artistic courses specifically designed for today's woman, alongside more traditional crafts.

Retail & Entertainment World

The largest shopping mall in the world - Mall of Arabia - forms the heart of Retail & Entertainment World, providing a wide variety of global brands, as well as unique boutiques, discount stores, entertainment and dining facilities.
"Designed as a high impact zone for family entertainment and innovative retail concepts, it will enhance Dubai's reputation as the premier shopping city in the world and complement existing highly successful shopping initiatives like the Dubai Shopping Festival, Dubai Summer Surprises and Dubai: City of Gold," a spokesman said.

Downtown

A vibrant mix of entertainment and eating out, Downtown will be a mixed destination offering a variety of retail, dining and entertainment facilities, such as cinemas, bowling, street entertainment, computer game centres, themed restaurants and nightclubs.

"The grand entry piazza will house business and administrative offices, backed by luxury apartment complexes and art galleries," a spokesman said. "Central to the Downtown design concept is the feeling of open space within the heart of Dubailand, while shaded squares and an abundance of water features will add to the its relaxed and congenial ambience.

"From sunset onwards, Downtown will draw the evening's beautiful people to street cafés and grills, traditional and contemporary gourmet restaurants, theatres, night spots and shows."