Abu Dhabi: Warner Bros. has announced a $1 billion Warner Bros. theme park in Abu Dhabi, which is expected to open by 2018, top officials in the capital said on Tuesday.
The result of a partnership between the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and Miral, the $1 billion (Dh3.67 billion) project will feature a range of famous Warner Bros (WB) characters, such as Bugs Bunny, and is expected to create around 1,000 jobs in the emirate.
“Around 30 per cent of the project has been completed. All agreements have been signed, construction has begun and rides have been ordered,” said Mohammad Abdullah Al Za’abi, chief executive officer of Miral.
Satisfied
Meanwhile, Warner Bros Entertainment CEO and chairman Kevin Tsujihara said that after his visit to the UAE in 2007-2008, he felt that Warner Brothers had found the right people to work with.
“As more time passed, that feeling was confirmed,” he said at the conference.
The very first WB branded hotel is also set to open alongside the theme park.
Last year, Yas Island saw 25 million visitors and is expecting around 30 million this year, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and chairman of Miral Mohammad Khalifa Al Mubarak said.
“The WB projects complement the entertainment attractions already available on Yas Island,” he added.
