The creation of the Dh8 billion Universal City is part of Dubai's strategy to attract 15 million tourist visitors by 2015.
The 22 million square foot project will be one of the jewels of Dubailand and is expected to draw visitors from Europe, Asia and beyond.
The main attraction will be the 6.5 million sq ft Universal Studios Dubailand which will feature around 20 different movie based rides thrusting visitors into the action beside popular Holywood icons such as King Kong.
Universal City is touted as an integrated with top class facilities including 4,000 hotel rooms, 100 restaurants, shops, commercial offices and residential compounds.
The Government owned Tatweer part of Dubai ambitious Dubailand project.
Saeed Al Muntafiq, Tatweer executive chairman said Universal City will complement the Dubai Strategic Plan which targets 11 percent annual real GDP growth until 2015.
"The Dubai Strategic Plan that was announced recently by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai has set clear objectives for all of us," said Al Muntafiq.
"There is no doubt that the new project will continue to highlighting Dubai as a global tourist destination providing the tourist sector with a strong drive to further diversity the economy.
"In the race for excellence there is no finish line."
Thomas Williams, chairman and chief executive of Universal Parks and Resorts said the company considered other locations in the Middle East but Dubai was always first choice.
He said: "The vision of the leadership of Dubai the investor supportive environment and convenient geographic location of Dubailand combined with other strategic and iconic offerings all contribute in making Dubai our location of choice for our first branded theme park in this region."
Williams could not confirm whether pricing would be similar to its existing US theme parks with market research yet to be conducted.
Attracting Universal Parks and Resorts which is part of General Electric represents a major coup for Tatweer.
General Electric is the world's largest corporation and has been named the Global Most Admired Company by reputed Fortune magazine seven times in the past nine years.
Williams added: "Our theme parks through the use of advanced technology and world famous creativity bring globally popular motion picture stories to life in some of the most thrilling and sophisticated rides, shows and attractions ever made."
World's largest
Dubailand will feature 45 mega projects and more than 200 tourism, leisure and entertainment sub projects.
Once completed it will be twice the size of the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida making it the largest them park in the world.
The project will be built in four phases. The first will be finished by 2010 with the final phase opened between 2015 and 2018. Dubailand will be divided into six "worlds".
Attractions will include Aqua Dubai, Falcon City of Wonders, Global Village and Kids World.
Sports and Outdoor World will cover 354 million sq ft and will feature Dubai Sports City Extreme Sports World and Dubai Autodome.
By Matt Smith
© Emirates Today 2007
