ABU DHABI’S YAS BAY WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT DUE TO COMPLETE BY END OF 2019

BY GABRIELLE

Miral, the Abu Dhabi government-backed developer, has announced Yas Bay, a new waterfront development on Yas Island, is due to be completed in December 2019.

Miral has invested $1 billion into the 14 million sq. ft. project. It is developing the infrastructure and public realm of the development, alongside the Hilton Hotel and Yas Bay Arena. Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, CEO of Miral, commented: “Our latest construction update highlights the significant progress we have achieved on our pioneering Yas Bay project.

“With key construction milestones being achieved, we look forward to working with investors and partners from across the world to further develop this unique destination that sets a new benchmark for Yas Island and the UAE,” Miral’s CEO added.

The waterfront leisure and entertainment destination will comprise of two hotels, Yas Bay Arena, a beach club, 37 restaurants and cafes, 19 retail outlets and a pier.

Yas Bay Arena will have a 18,000-people capacity and will host large-scale events, performances and sports tournaments.

Abu Dhabi launches ‘mega events fund’ to drive more tourists to its entertainment sites

 BY GABRIELLE

In a bid to boost tourism and diversify the economy away from oil, Abu Dhabi has launched a new $163.4 million “mega events” fund to finance potential global entertainment partners.

Abu Dhabi is already home to a number of iconic theme parks and waterparks, including Ferrari World, Warner Bros World and Yas Waterworld.

However, the UAE’s capital has set a goal to “turn the emirate into the world’s best destination for leisure, business, sports and events, and to offer new experiences to its residents.”

The launch of the ‘mega events fund’ is designed to start developing entertainment facilities, including the city’s theme parks and waterparks, so they will attract big ticket events to the region.

As Saeed Al Saeed, director of destination marketing at the Department of Culture and Tourism, comments:

“Abu Dhabi, as a city, is trying to expand its offering in terms of mega events. We have recently announced a Dh600-million (fund) just to bring major events into the city. We are trying to get all such events that will not only appeal to our community but will also draw tourists to the city.

“There will be massive campaigns to promote not just an event but Abu Dhabi as a city to a wider audience,” Al Saeed added.