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Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi launched at Arabian Travel Market this week

Aldar, Abu Dhabi's leading real estate development and management company, is set to bring Yas Island, Abu Dhabi's major destination for business and leisure travellers to Arabian Travel Market, the leading travel exhibition for the Middle East region that starts tomorrow in Dubai.

Being showcased at ATM for the first time, Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi will significantly add to the attractions of Yas Island when in opens in Q4 2012. Visitors to the water park will enjoy 43 rides, slides and attractions that follow the adventures of the waterpark's main character Dana - a young Emirati girl in search of a legendary pearl which brought prosperity to the people of her village.

Opened in the summer of 2010, Yas Links Golf Course, the first true links in the region, has further strengthened Abu Dhabi's position as a major golf tourism destination. In April 2012 Golf Digest USA ranked Yas Links Abu Dhabi as #24 in the World's Best Courses Outside of America. The course has also decorated with the coveted Best Golf Course and Best Club accolades by Middle East Golfer, the region's leading consumer golf magazine, in its 2010 awards.

Also new for ATM 2012 is the agreement between Aldar and Viceroy Hotel Group for the management of what is now Yas Viceroy Hotel, combining Viceroy's passion for design and personalised service with one of the iconic five star hotels of Abu Dhabi. The hotel, the Group's first hotel outside of North America, has welcomed high-level governmental meetings, awards ceremonies and corporate conferences. The profile of the hotel has blossomed inside and outside the GCC, culminating in the award of the "World's Best New Hotel" at the World Travel Awards in London in November 2010.

Six other hotels on Yas Island offering 1,800 rooms and conferencing facilities have been developed around a plaza close to the Yas Marina Circuit. The hotels are managed by Aldar and operated by global brands IHG (Crowne Plaza and Staybridge Suites), Rezidor (Radisson Blu and Park Inn) and leading regional operator Rotana (Rotana and Centro).

Yas Island has also played host to diverse range of international and regional artists such as Elton John, Metallica, Eric Clapton, DJ Tiesto, Stevie Wonder, Shakira and Amr Diab during its Show Weekends, with many more artists lined up for the future, such as Madonna scheduled to play two sold-out nights in July 2012.

Looking further ahead, Yas Island is set to become a major retail destination for the UAE. The largest IKEA store in the MENA region opened in March 2011, and Yas Mall, a super regional Mall is set for completion in Q3 2013.

Mohamed Al Mubarak, Deputy CEO, Aldar Properties, commented:

"We return to Arabian Travel Market this year with yet more exciting developments at Yas Island to showcase. The introduction of the luxury hotel brand Viceroy to the Middle East, the recognition that continues to be given to Yas Links from the global golfing community, the growing list of superstars to perform here, it all adds up to another exciting and successful year in the life of Yas Island."

We are particularly excited about the newest member of the Yas Island family - Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi will provide an important addition to the attractions of on offer. The water park pays tribute to the Emirati culture and heritage of pearl diving, and offers rides and attractions for every member of the family."

Last year also saw the growth of a number of Yas Island's destinations to great acclaim.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi opened in November 2010, becoming the world's largest indoor theme park and the first ever Ferrari theme park in the world. The park hosts over more than 20 Ferrari-inspired rides and attractions for the entire family including the world's fastest roller coaster and the region's first duelling coaster.

Yas Yacht Club is now open and has become a vibrant entertainment destination with Cipriani, Stars'n'Bars and Allure nightclub all proving to be a welcome addition to Abu Dhabi's dining and nightlife options.

Yas Gateway Park is now open, a green area of 500,000 sq m providing 10,500 parking spaces, sporting fields, pedestrian pathways, cycling ways and play grounds.

Since November 2009, when it welcomed the public ahead of the first Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Island has evolved into a major business and leisure hub. Located between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and just 10 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport, Yas Island has a wide range of hotels and attractions to cater for all travellers.

For more information, please contact:
Shamma Al Nuaimi
salnuaimi@aldar.com
+971 2 810 5742

© Press Release 2012

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