|
Abu Dhabi: President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has reviewed the progress of two of the emirate's key tourism projects and concepts for tourism asset expansion in Abu Dhabi's western region.
The updates and concepts were presented by a senior executive management team from the Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC), Abu Dhabi's leading tourism asset developer.
The team was led by its chairman Shaikh Tahnoun Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Shaikh Khalifa reviewed development concepts aimed at energising the economy of the western region and enhancing its population's career opportunities.
Centred around the Al Sila area, the concepts envisage the building of malls, marinas, cruise ship facilities, parks, golf communities and urban, waterfront and Maldivian island-style resorts.
TDIC is developing desert islands in the region in a phased manner until 2020 at an estimated investment of Dh11.5 billion ($3 billion), with government and private sector participation.
When fully operational, the desert islands are expected to generate $326 million in tourism revenue annually and create 6,500 jobs.
Shaikh Khalifa also reviewed the progress of the Qasar Al Sarab luxury retreat in the Liwa desert.
He heard how a pioneering system of tencate geosynthetics, used for the first time in the Arabian Gulf, fast-tracked completion of the resort's elevated retaining walls.
Foundation work on the resort's 42 villas, which are adjacent to the main hotel, is nearing completion.
|
