Palm Jebel Ali unveils The Crown

Dubai: Palm Jebel Ali, is to have a 380-acre development at its top called The Crown, developed by Nakheel and Busch Entertainment Corporation, aimed at families and conservation.

The Crown will have hotels, resorts and four theme parks. The theme parks include Seaworld, Aquatica, Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove.

Joseph A Couceiro, corporate vice president and chief marketing officer of Busch, said: "It makes a statement even for Dubai.

"Sustainability and conservation is a priority. There are endangered species in the Gulf, such as the Dibbo and sea turtles, we'll assist these animals."

Marwan Al Qamzi, managing director of the Palm Jebel Ali said: "We started discussions on this at the end of last year and the killer whale shape was accepted by all.

"Palm Jebel Ali has unique marine life and there are 504 water-homes. This is the biggest number of water-homes in the world. And Shaikh Mohammad's Floating Prov-erb will begin construction by the end of the year."

Busch Gardens will predominantly have African animals that will thrive in Dubai temperatures and Seaworld and Discovery Cove will have dolphins and other marine life.

Al Qamzi said construction on The Crown would begin by the end of the year.

It will be linked to the main crescent of Palm Jebel Ali by a tunnel on the western side and a bridge on the eastern side.

"We hope to greet the first visitor by 2012. It will be for families as Nakheel and Dubai are promoting family tourism," AL Qamzi said.

Although still in the planning stages, Al Qamzi and Couceiro said they are planning to host "several million people in each park a year".

"We looked at other expansion opportunities in the world, but Dubai is the place to be. It doesn't have to be good here, it has to be great," said Couceiro.

Al Qamzi said the Palm Jebel Ali including The Crown development will house around 57 hotels and 23,000 rooms.

The Crown itself will have around 3,000 to 4,000 rooms.

"We have seven plots but we may combine. It's too early to say," Al Qamzi said.