Yas Island gets Dh12 billion investment for new rides, attractions and hotels

Dubai: Miral will invest more than Dh12 billion in Yas Island over the next five years, with plans to add new attractions, expand existing theme parks and increase the island’s hotel capacity.

The investment covers a pipeline of developments across tourism, entertainment and hospitality, including new immersive rides and experiences alongside upgrades to existing attractions.

Miral said the spending is separate from the previously announced Disney project.

More rides and hotel rooms planned

The five-year programme will focus on expanding Yas Island’s existing theme parks and attractions while introducing new experiences aimed at visitors.

Miral will also increase the island’s hospitality offering through additional hotel rooms and upgrades across its accommodation portfolio. Overall room count on Yas Island is expected to increase by roughly 30-35% over the next five years.

Specific details on the number of new attractions, hotel rooms and individual projects were not disclosed.

Investment separate from Disney project

Miral said the more than Dh12 billion programme is distinct from the Disney development previously announced for Yas Island.

The new spending will instead cover further development of the island’s existing leisure and entertainment offering, along with additional attractions and hospitality capacity.

The investment announcement came alongside strong operating results. Al Zaabi reported hotel occupancy on Yas Island reached 92 percent in August, calling it one of the busiest months the destination has recorded. Annual pass sales intentionally capped this year despite demand yet still grew 20% year-over-year.

“We saw tourists were coming from Russia as well. We're going to see a positive trend, and we're very optimistic about the funding as well.” Al Zaabi added.

He also noted, despite the disruption, none of Miral's theme parks closed with the priority placed on guest and staff safety throughout.

India has emerged as one of Miral's most important international markets. Al Zaabi said they welcomed 1 million visitors from India in 2025, with year-on-year growth of roughly 20 to 25 percent. He described Miral's approach to the market as a "multi-layer strategy", with the local partnerships and marketing campaigns.

Al Zaabi pointed to Yas islands’ infrastructure and geographic density as an interesting infrastructure standpoint with Zayed International Airport, providing wide airline connectivity, and Al Bateen Executive Airport just 30 minutes away.

"Four theme parks and five museums, all within 15 minutes of each other, just minutes from Zayed International Airport", Al Zaabi says, is what is unique to the Capital Emirate.

The projects are also expected to support employment and skills development within Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector.