It is not only the Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort that is raising the profile of the city. The Al Ain Convention Centre is aiming to attract business and leisure travellers, while also contributing to the local community.
The Managing Director of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (Adnec), Ali Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, says the convention centre is a "landmark undertaking for the city" and it aims to create a vibrant business and lifestyle destination in Al Ain. "As is obvious from the scale of the project, the Al Ain Convention Centre district is a pioneering and highly strategic initiative for Al Ain city and its people."
Al Ain holds a special place in the hearts of people in the UAE and carefully managing the city's growth and development is a priority. The convention centre will serve the local community, as well as events organisers and exhibitors from across the globe.
"Benefiting the local community is a very important consideration; the wedding hall is an existing landmark that is fondly remembered by residents and visitors alike, and enhancing the capacity of these facilities will provide immense benefit to the people of Al Ain," says Al Dhaheri. "Care has been taken to emphasise the creation of a natural and sustainable environment throughout the development, with open spaces connected by walkways and several areas designed to be free of cars.
"As far as tourism goes, the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority has made stellar efforts to focus on the many hidden jewels in Al Ain's tourism offering and I am sure developments such as the Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort, as well as our very own, Al Ain Convention Centre, will draw tourists and business visitors."
The commercial opportunities of the centre have not been overlooked, as Al Dhaheri explains. "Hosting a world-standard convention centre as well as infrastructure and facilities that support the conventions business can be a key ingredient in activating a city's commercial prospects. We have done this successfully with the Capital Centre development that surrounds the thriving Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, and we are confident we can replicate this model in Al Ain with the convention centre.
"Our efforts are geared towards ensuring the Al Ain Convention Centre acts as pivot to attracting significant business, drawing event organisers, delegates and tourists to the city from all over the world."
Ali Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri outlines the plan for the Al Ain Convention Centre district
The micro-city project will be developed in various phases:
• Adnec has already commenced construction to double the size of the existing wedding hall located within the plot area. This phase, with estimated completion by Ramadan this year, also involves enhancing the present outdoor dancing area.
• The second phase involves the construction of the state-of-the-art convention centre (currently in planning stages) in 2011, along with a hotel, multistorey car park and a serviced apartment complex. It will be followed by the construction of the cultural centre, with a library, art gallery and auditorium.
• The third phase involves development of residential and commercial low-rise buildings surrounding the centre.
