Aqua Dunya, a USD 1.9b project in Dubailand, was unveiled yesterday. The water oriented theme part resort and residential community will house the world's largest cruise ship, and has been inspired by a Bedouin folk take. Developers, Saudi-based Al Sharq Development, announced that the project will be ready by early 2008.
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| From left: Steven Tight, Chief Executive Officer for Aqua Dunya, Salem bin Dasmal, Chief Executive Officer of Dubailand, Ali Sulaiman Al Shehri, Chairman of Al Sharq Development and Paul MacPherson, Jumeirah, at the press conference. |
The world's largest cruise ship, The Desert Pearl, inspired by an Arabian sea-faring tale, will be the focus of the resort and contains a climate-controlled indoor element of the theme park and an authentic 330-stateroom luxury hotel.
The 8 million sq. ft resort and residential community, located in the heart of Dubailand, will include the Aqua Dunya theme park, the Desert Pearl Hotel, a traditional Souk and Port district, a conference centre, 170 vacation apartments, and 3,400 residential apartments offered for sale.
"Aqua Dunya brings something for everyone - world-class family theme parks and resorts, vacation apartments for visitors to use as a base to explore all of Dubailand and Dubai, and unique residences in a prime developing region of the new Dubai." Said Ali Sulaiman Al Shehri, Chairman of Al Sharq Development.
Based on the imaginary tale of a young Bedouin boy, and his fascination for the sea, the Aqua Dunya resort is a record of his adventures around the world. Transformed by his experiences, the young sailor decided to build a spectacular steam and sailing vessel. The Desert Pearl traveled the world for several years before returning to anchor in the oasis where it was covered by the desert's shifting sands, until the Aqua Dunya team discovered it deep within the UAE desert.
"Aqua Dunya will set new standards for international family entertainment in the Middle East by using the art of Arabic story telling to transport our guests on a fantastic fantasy adventure" said Steven Tight, Chief Executive Officer for Aqua Dunya. Tight, who joined Al Sharq Development in January 2005, brings his 17 years of international theme park development experience with the Walt Disney Company to the Aqua Dunya project.
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| Speakers pictured with the model of the project at the press conference. |
The hotel within Desert Pearl has authentic turn of the century design and interiors which will transport visitors and guests to the golden days of transatlantic cruising. The nautical discovery theme will be relived every evening, as the ship makes preparations to embark on a new voyage, its engines, smokestacks, and foghorn coming to life as fireworks light up the night sky.
A Memo of Understanding has been signed with Jumeirah, the Dubai-based luxury hospitality group, to operate the Aqua Dunya theme park, the flagship hotel, the Souk and port, and the vacation apartments. Jumeirah owns and manages the hugely successful Wild Wadi Water Park in Dubai.
Gerald Lawless, Chief Executive Officer of Jumeirah, commented: "Jumeirah is looking forward to building on the success of Wild Wadi Water Park to ensure that the theme park is a unique and enthralling experience for every visitor."
The Aqua Dunya project will coincide with Dubailand's Phase 1 Grand Opening in early 2008. Construction on Aqua Dunya will begin in January 2006.
