Orlando: Nakheel on Thursday announced an agreement with Busch Entertainment Corporation (BEC), the family entertainment division of US based Anheuser-Busch Co to develop four theme parks under the name Worlds of Discovery.
The theme parks will include SeaWorld, Aquatica, Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove.
BEC president and chief operating officer Jim Atchison announced the deal with Nakheel's CEO, Chris O'Donnell, and The Palm Jebel Ali's Managing Director, Marwan Al Qamzi, at SeaWorld Orlando yesterday.
Agreement
Nakheel and BEC reach-ed an agreement earlier this month for the construction of four theme parks on the second of Nakheel's three palm-shaped man-made island developments. Orlando-based BEC operates 10 Worlds of Discovery parks across the US. The Worlds of Discovery will be built on a section of The Palm Jebel Ali known as 'the Crown'.
"Dubai has fast become one of the world's leading tourist destinations and a key part of the strategy has been attracting world-class entertainment brands to the emirate. We have already agreed partnerships with major brands such as Trump, Cirque du Soleil, and Atlantis, and the partnership with BEC is a further example of Dubai's growth as a city of global prominence," said O'Donnell.
The first phase of Worlds of Discovery is expected to open in 2012. Besides the four theme parks, the project will also include a variety of other family tourist attractions such as resort hotels, spas, shops and restaurants, O'Donnell said.
"Worlds of Discovery will become the attraction of The Palm Jebel Ali and I am already excited about opening the doors to our very first visitors in 2012," said Al Qamzi.
