Explore - Marsa Al Arab
Marsa Al Arab aims to elevate family tourism proposition in Dubai, support the achievement of Dubai’s Tourism Vision 2020, and encourage UAE Nationals to work in one of the sectors vital to the Emirate’s economic diversification and growth. The mega-project is part of Dubai Holding’s strategy to develop Madinat Jumeirah, while reinforcing Jumeirah Group’s position as a catalyst in transforming Dubai into a global tourist destination.
The development adds 2.2 km of beach frontage and will be the newest addition to Dubai’s long-standing track record of world-class tourist facilities. One island will be dedicated to entertainment and family tourism, while the other comprises an exclusive luxury resort. ‘Marsa Al Arab’ will include a private yacht marina and a yacht club, 400 new F&B outlets, in addition to recreational attractions, making it a globally attractive tourist destination.
Family Resort with World-Class Facilities
Jumeirah Group said they will introduce new leisure concepts to complement its existing family entertainment offer through the construction of a new family-oriented hotel. The hotel will include a larger and improved Wild Wadi Water Park, offering new thrills, family rides and record-breaking attractions. The family resort will also encompass a ‘Marine Park’, a first-of-its-kind marine life edutainment centre in the Middle East, in addition to a live theatre of a 1,000 seat capacity attracting world-class shows. The family resort will include a theatre with a capacity of 1,700 seats, which will become home to the world-renowned show Cirque du Soleil for the first time in the Middle East. Dubai Holding will also launch the Dubai Pearl Museum, complemented by a pearl farm and a pearl-inspired boutique hotel, reflecting the UAE’ heritage, culture and national pride.
A New Business Destination
‘Marsa Al Arab’ will offer a signature serviced commercial space to attract international companies looking to set up base in this unique development. The commercial destination will also comprise a mixed-use convention centre, supported by a new hotel, fully equipped to host large international conferences and festivals.
Exclusive Private Island
Located on the left of Burj Al Arab, Dubai Holding will develop 140 luxury villas on a private island characterised by the highest levels of privacy and luxury, including a private marina for its residents. Operated by Jumeirah Group, the island will also host a boutique hotel equipped with world-class facilities that reflect ‘Marsa Al Arab’s status as an attractive destination for elite travellers.
Marsa Al Arab will add 2,400 hotel rooms to the Jumeirah Group’s portfolio. The group is part of Dubai Holding, which is majority-owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Ruler of Dubai.
Jumeriah Group have experience when it comes to man-made islands. They manage the Burj Al Arab, located 280 meters off Jumeirah Beach on artificial land first constructed in 1994.
Other artificial islands of grander scale and logistical complexity have followed the Burj, with varying levels of success.
Sea dredgers are used to create Dubai’s artificial islands.
Palm Jumeirah, 9.6-square miles and constructed between 2001 and 2006, is now home to hundreds of family residences and at least two dozen hotels.
Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira are both set to eclipse the Jumeirah, but have suffered setbacks stemming from the global financial crisis of 2008. Construction of the former began in 2002 but it remains incomplete, while the latter, still in construction, has been scaled down and rebranded Deira Islands.
Luxury 300-island system The World was constructed 2.5 miles off the Dubai coast between 2003 and 2008. Most islands were sold off to contractors to build private residences in 2008, but thus far the archipelago remains largely unoccupied.
Jumeirah Group will be hoping Marsa Al Arab will avoid this fate, positioning the project as a tourist-friendly locale happy to host the influx of visitors expected to descend upon the city for Expo 2020.
