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Tatweer brings Universal theme park to Dubailand
Tatweer, a member of Dubai Holding, yesterday announced the launch of the Dh8 billion Universal City Dubailand, a multi-use development around Universal Studios Dubailand, a centrepiece theme park.
- Gulf News Report
- Published: 00:00 May 1, 2007
- Tatweer brings Universal theme park to DubailandShaikh Hamdan reviews the project along with Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs; Thomas L. Williams, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Parks and Resorts; Saeed Al Muntafiq, Executive Chairman of Tatweer; and Sultan Ahmad Bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai World.
- Image Credit: Tracy Brand/Gulf News
Dubai: Tatweer, a member of Dubai Holding, yesterday announced the launch of the Dh8 billion Universal City Dubailand, a multi-use development around Universal Studios Dubailand, a centrepiece theme park.
Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, unveiled the project, a 22 million square foot development in Dubailand.
The project will be developed in three phases. The theme park will be completed in the first phase (by 2010).
"Universal City Dubailand will be an integrated leisure, residential, family tourism and entertainment destination. This project will reinforce Dubai's position as the new frontier of global tourism," said Saeed Al Muntafiq, executive chairman of Tatweer.
The 6.5 million square foot Universal Studios Dubailand will be among the world's largest theme parks. In addition to the theme park, the city will also include hotels, retail outlets, offices and residential compounds.
By 2010, the theme park is expected to attract more than three million tourists to Dubai. "There is no doubt that the new project will contribute to highlighting Dubai as a global tourist destination, providing the tourism sector with a strong drive to further diversify the economy," said Al Muntafiq.
To develop the Universal City Dubailand, Tatweer has entered into a franchise agreement with Universal Parks and Resorts, a unit of General Electric's NBC Universal, which wholly owns Universal Studios Hollywood.
"We will work closely with Tatweer to develop this family entertainment destination. Our objective is to introduce the highest quality in entertainment business to the region," said Thomas L. Williams, chairman and chief executive of Universal Parks and Resorts.
Universal City Dubailand will consist of more than 4,000 luxury hotel rooms, 100 restaurants and a range of retail outlets. It will also include an integrated area of commercial office space and a residential area.
"The project with its diverse components will attract visitors from around the world, including the Asian subcontinent, central and east Europe and South Africa," said Al Muntafiq.
Universal Parks and Resorts operates similar theme parks in Los Angeles, Florida and Japan and has licensing agreements with parks in Singapore. In Dubai, Universal plans to add some regional flavour to its attractions.
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