12 News
CAPITAL ENTERTAINMENT
Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi to feature 29 rides, shows and attractions – transforming Abu Dhabi’s offering
Mohamed Al Zaabi, CEO of Miral, said: “We’re
delighted to see the park coming together and on track for the launch in 2018. “Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi marks an
important step in the development of Yas Island as a complete leisure and entertainment destina- tion, and we can’t wait to share it with the world.” The indoor venue, which will span 1.65 million
Mohamed Al Zaabi, CEO of Miral
Changing the face of the capital’s entertainment offering is new theme park Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, which is beginning to take shape on the city’s Yas Island. As it prepares for next year’s launch, devel-
oper Miral has announced that the destination will be home to 29 immersive rides, shows and interactive attractions. The much-anticipated venue joins a series of high-profile theme parks which are due to open throughout the region in the coming years, as part of a wider tourism strat- egy to target the family entertainment market.
square feet, is set to include a selection of retail and food outlets, in addition to the rides. Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi will bring together hit characters from the DC Universe including Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, as well as Warner Bros. Animation characters such as Bugs Bunny and Scooby-Doo. The family-friendly destination is a key part
of Yas Island’s plan to welcome 48 million annual visitors by 2022. Helping to reach that goal are existing attractions Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, Yas Marina Circuit and Yas Mall. Also joining the island’s offering by 2018 is the US$100 million (AED367.3 million) attrac- tion CLYMB, which will feature the world’s widest flight chamber and tallest indoor climbing wall. Meanwhile, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is scheduled to open on Yas Island by 2022. ——— Visit stand ME2150
QATAR INVESTS HEAVILY TO BOOST TOURISM PRODUCT
Developments worth US$45 billion (AED165.3 billion) will bolster Qatar’s tourism product, as the country aims to welcome 10 million visitors a year. This includes US$2.3 billion (AED8.45 billion) for 2022 FIFA World Cup facilities, and US$6.9 billion (AED25.35 billion) for transport infrastructure. Simon Press, Senior Exhibition Director,
ATM, said: “Qatar’s well-paced National Tourism Sector Strategy 2030 will steadily boost tourism numbers over the coming decade, with the first milestone of four million visitors a year by 2020 well on track. Once again we see the leisure indus- try driving growth in another major GCC destina- tion and this is a trend we expect to continue at least until the end of the decade.”
Doha skyline Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) predicts that
by 2026, the tourism sector’s economic contribu- tion will reach US$22.3 billion (AED81.9 billion), 7.3 percent of its GDP, up from US$13.3 billion (AED48.8 billion) in 2015. Two years ago, invest- ment in travel and tourism activity comprised 2.2 percent of the country’s funding. This is expected to rise by 8.6 percent per annum until 2026. Hamad International Airport in Doha saw passenger traffic jump 20 percent in 2016 to 37.3 million. To accommodate the growth in all-round demand, Qatar is adding almost 16,000 rooms to its hotel offering, marking a 69 percent increase. ——— Visit stand ME2010
BAHRAIN IS BUILDING A BILLION-DOLLAR FUTURE
Bahrain is moving forward with a series of impressive new developments as major growth is predicted in its tourism industry. The value of the kingdom’s tourism product is
CLYMB
expected to reach US$1 billion (AED3.67 billion) by 2020, according to figures released ahead of this year’s Arabian Travel Market. Bahrain saw an 8.4 percent increase in inbound traffic in the third quarter of 2016 and a peak of 1.4 million arrivals in August. With the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibi- tion Authority spearheading a robust marketing campaign, the kingdom expects to welcome 15.8 million annual visitors by 2018. Major new developments include the US$1.1 billion (AED4.4 billion) Airport Modernisation Programme at Bahrain International Airport, which will double capacity from seven million
LUXURY HOTEL ALLIANCE MARKS INDUSTRY FIRST
Hospitality giants Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts and Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces have joined forces to broaden their reach across 200 hotels in 27 countries. In the run up to ATM, the brands unveiled the
Warmer Welcomes initiative, which integrates Shangri-La’s Golden Circle and the Taj InnerCircle guest loyalty programmes. For the six million loyalty scheme members,
the strategy now offers reciprocal benefits including perks when they stay at any Shangri- La or Taj hotel across the globe, earning reward points across the network in 131 destinations. Members will then be able to convert points to redeem awards across both programmes. Rakesh Sarna, MD and CEO, Taj Hotels Resorts and
Palaces said: “Our guests and loyalty members have shared their desire for a wider selection of world-class hotels in key destinations. This alli- ance will help drive deeper engagement for our most valuable guests and members, as they will now be recognised effortlessly at some of the world’s finest hotels.” Madhu Rao, Shangri-La Acting President,
said: “Our alliance bridges two iconic Asian brands and opens up a world of new experiences for our guests. We will be able to enhance brand awareness and increase market share by provid- ing Golden Circle and Taj InnerCircle members more value and more reasons to stay with us.” ——— Visit stands HC0820 and HC1155
Manama, Bahrain
to 14 million passengers per year by 2020, and The Avenues at Bahrain Bay Corniche, a 38,000-square-metre shopping and entertain- ment venue set to open partially in late 2017. Swedish furniture giant IKEA is also due to
open a 37,000 square-metre store in late 2018. The US$124.7 million (AED457.9 million) project will be the company’s largest store in the Middle East. A pipeline of 4,187 rooms will mark an increase
of 33.1 percent in Bahrain’s hotel stock. Wyndham Grand at Bahrain Bay and Marriott Residence Inn at Water Garden City will open in 2017, along with One&Only Seef, Bahrain – adding to the coun- try’s 111 hotels currently in operation. Elsewhere, Manama’s Bahrain Marina project is due in 2020. ——— Visit stand ME1410
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