Dubai: The public and private sectors are key partners in the UAE’s economic growth and for the realisation of the country’s ambitious vision for development.
The remarks were made by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, during a visit to IMG Worlds of Adventure, which opened on Wednesday with investments valued at Dh3.7 billion.
The park occupies an area of 1.5 million square feet, making it the largest indoor theme park in the world. It is owned by Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari Group.
Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, were present at the event.
Take a sneak peek of the park here:
Shaikh Mohammad said that the partnership between the public and private sectors has supported the country in all its development phases since its founding and continues to have a unique impact on the economic landscape of the country. He said the strong role played by the private sector and its high-quality projects have created significant value for the UAE. Commending the solid investments that have driven economic growth and development, Shaikh Mohammad said that the public-private partnership is a key pillar in building the nation and realising the people’s aspirations. He added that private sector investment in major projects plays an important role in enhancing the UAE’s leading position as a model for development, and boosting its attractiveness to local and foreign investors.
Shaikh Mohammad also noted the remarkable developments in the hospitality, leisure and tourism industries, which are key economic pillars that support the UAE’s Vision 2021 and the National Agenda — which aim to make the UAE the region’s economic, tourism and trade capital. The park has 22 rides and attractions set in four themed ‘worlds’, under one roof on Mohammad Bin Zayed Road just beyond Global Village. Five more attractions are likely to be added in the next five years.
On his tour around IGM, Shaikh Mohammad was briefed by Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari on sections of the theme park that distinguish it from its regional and global counterparts.
He was also briefed on various services provided by the park to attract visitors from around the world, allowing them to enjoy a unique family experience of entertainment and shopping.
Shaikh Mohammad then visited the theme park’s various sections, such as Lost Valley — Dinosaur Adventure, which is the largest section of the theme park, occupying an area of 700,000 square feet. The section includes 70 prehistoric, life-size animatronic dinosaurs.
He also visited the Marvel section, which occupies an area of 350,000 square feet, and features characters and themes from Marvel Studios, owned by Disney, which was actively involved in the design of Marvel Zone.
Shaikh Mohammad also visited the live theatre, which aims to provide a unique edutainment and cultural experience to visitors and the IMG Boulevard, which offers the Haunted Hotel, retail stores and live and interactive activities.
IMG Boulevard provides entry into the park and houses the Emporium, the park’s largest shop as well as food outlets and street entertainers.
Present during the visit were Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future; Hilal Saeed Al Merri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Commerce and Tourism Marketing and CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre; Mohammad Al Habbai, CEO of Dubailand; and other officials.
Key attractions:
The 350,000-square-feet Marvel zone, which offers a wide range of entertainment experiences themed on iconic Marvel superheroes.
The 230,000-square-feet Cartoon Network zone, which features a 5D cinema that can host up to 1,200 visitors.
The Lost Valley — Dinosaur Adventure zone spanning over 700,000 square feet, which is home to 70 state-of-the-art animatronic dinosaurs.
The external coaster ‘The Velociraptor’, which propels guests to 100km/h in 2.5 seconds.
The IMG Boulevard zone, which covers 200,000 square feet and features a diverse range of attractions including The Haunted Hotel, a vast selection of retail and dining offerings, live entertainment and interactive experiences.
The park also includes 28 original food and beverage offerings; and 25 retail outlets stretching over 73,000 square feet that will house a spectacular offering of product lines and gifts including toys, collectibles, fashion and accessories.
