The tourism potential of Dubai World Central (DWC) - the 140 square kilometre urban development project in Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates – will be in the spotlight at the inaugural Tourism Development Projects & Investment Market (TDIM) exhibition between 20-22 January at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Of the US$ 190 billion worth of local and international projects to be displayed at the exhibition, the US$ 33 billion DWC – twice the size of Hong Kong Island - will be among the largest to attract global corporate and individual investors in a bid to up Dubai’s tourism sector which currently contributes 30% to the emirate’s economy.

 

Khalid bin Harib, CEO, Real Estate, Dubai World Central said: “Dubai’s target to triple its GDP to US$ 112 billion by 2015 will be aided by the region’s tremendous tourism potential which has received investment commitments of US$ 328 billion in tourism related projects so far.

“Projects like Dubai World Central serve as a catalyst to that boom. DWC’s aim is to create a perfect environment for potential investment prospects and set new standards for substantial tourism development in the UAE. With DWC becoming a regional and global hub model, there are several opportunities for the leisure, hospitality and entertainment sector operators to set up a base within this huge city.

“DWC will be a perfect asset provider to investors, tourism officials, tourism facilities operators, global destination brands and specialists visiting TDIM.”

DWC’s infrastructure, centred around Al Maktoum International Airport, set to be the world’s largest, will be ably supported by the surrounding real estate components - DWC Residential City, DWC Commercial City and DWC Golf City, with over 900,000 people living and working there.

Besides serving as a future tourism gateway to all the nearby projects, the Al Maktoum International Airport itself, when fully operational by 2015, will be a huge tourist attraction. The new airport will have an annual capacity of up to 150 million passengers.

“The project has a unique approach to tourism, encompassing every level of tourist activity from mid-income leisure and entertainment to the premium segment resorts, spas, wellbeing and recreational centres,” stated Abdulla Al Falasi, DWC’s Director for Marketing and Corporate Communications.

While DWC Residential City will have a number of budget and five to three star hotels catering to over 250,000 residents, DWC Golf City will host premier golfing resorts, themed parks, spas and other leisure facilities.

DWC Commercial City will cater to all lifestyle amenities and will not be just a destination for work and residence. Sport and leisure clubs, plenty of open spaces, a two kilometre park with retail and leisure provisions, luxury fashion boutiques, landmark towers, water gardens and hotels will service 450,000 residents besides tourists who visit DWC.

Dubai World Central’s first residents will move into their homes in mid-2009 while the first hotels are expected to commence construction by end of this year.