The art of visitor
bu Dhabi’s neighbouring emirate Dubai has been grabbing the headlines over the past couple of years with the opening of a host of major theme parks. But 2018 has been Abu Dhabi’s year in the spotlight with the debut in July of the $1 billion Warner Bros World theme park on Yas Island, billed as one of the largest indoor theme parks in the world, at 1.65 million sq ft. Warner Bros World features six ‘immersive’ lands including DC Comics’ Metropolis and Gotham City, plus Cartoon Junction (based around classic Looney Tunes characters), The Flintstones’ Bedrock and Warner Bros Plaza, offering a total of 29 rides alongside family attractions and live entertainment. The new park is expected to increase visitor numbers to Yas Island, which is already home to Ferrari World, from 25 million to 30 million per year. Abu Dhabi is also competing to be seen as the Gulf region’s key cultural hub following the opening of Louvre Abu Dhabi in November 2017. It will be hitting the headlines again this autumn when it puts Leonardo Da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi on display from September 18. The 15th-century artwork was acquired by the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) for a staggering $450 million – a world record price for an artwork sold at auction. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, says: “The Salvator Mundi highlights the inclusive nature of Louvre Abu Dhabi’s narrative and Abu Dhabi’s mission to promote a message of acceptance and openness. “It is an opportunity for Abu Dhabi’s
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1 Louvre Abu Dhabi, the first big brand art museum in the Arab world
2 The Edition hotel opens later this year in the Al Bateen area
3 Ferrari World on Yas Island boasts the world’s fastest rollercoaster
4 Jumeirah at Saadiyat Resort opens in November
5 Bedrock in Warner Bros World – one of the world’s largest indoor theme parks
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residents and visitors from around the world to engage with a rare and iconic work of great cultural significance at Louvre Abu Dhabi. Lost and hidden for so long in private hands, Leonardo Da Vinci’s masterpiece is now our gift to the world.” The extra publicity from both the new theme park and the unveiling of the Salvator Mundi should help to increase the positive momentum Abu Dhabi has already enjoyed in early 2018 – the
48 wtm insights autumn 2018
wtm.com
attractions
Abu Dhabi is reaping the benefits of enormous investment, with new attractions ranging from theme parks to precious artworks. Rob Gill reports
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