Saturday, May 10, 2008
Gulf News
Dubai: Dubai is seen as well suited to become the global yachting and boating community's premier destination.
With several large waterfront developments, the emirate is trying to position itself as a maritime hub.
With its three ambitious Palm island developments on Dubai's coast, real estate developer Nakheel has taken the lead in this drive.
Saeed Hareb, director of Nakheel Marinas and managing director of Dubai International Marine Club, said: "If you look at projects such as The Palm trilogy and The World, Dubai is offering an experience that rivals the traditional European boating hubs of Monte Carlo, Cannes and St Tropez.
"Developers are continuously adding new berths to meet the demands and requirements for a wide range of craft from small boats to mega-yachts."
Speaking on the sidelines of Arabian Travel Market, Hareb said more than 51,000 marina berths are being built in various development.
"Dubai is already looking at becoming the number one marine and yachting destination. In some aspects, we already are," he said.
Nakheel has launched a new waterfront project called Worlds of Discovery, an island in the shape of Shamu, a whale. It will occupy a section of the Palm Jebel Ali known as 'The Crown' and the concept masterplan includes four theme parks, SeaWorld, Aquatica, Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove. Hareb believes Dubai's cultivation of a luxury lifestyle associated with the world's boating elite will attract the world's rich to the city.
"We are not only providing berths and marinas but more so the lifestyle associated with becoming the world's leading yachting destination," he said.
He added Dubai needs to "identify new opportunities that will attract more international names to our shores."
Gulf News 2008. All rights reserved.
