The Qasr Al Sarab five-star retreat being built by Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), the leading tourism asset developer in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is now rising out of the desert in the emirate's Liwa area of the renowned Empty Quarter (Rub Al Khali).
The South African/UAE joint venture ALEC/Al Jaber has the construction contract for the luxury development, for which international consultancy Turner & Townsend has been appointed project manager.
The aspirational Qasr Al Sarab retreat, which translates from the Arabic as Palace of the Mirage, is being built seven kilometres from Liwa's main Hamim Highway crossing and just 90 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport. Set amidst a backdrop of the Rub Al Khali's towering dunes - some amongst the highest in the world - the luxury get-away will feature 140 guestrooms, spread between 10 low-rise blocks, ten Royal Pavilion villas and 42 additional villas, a mix of one, two and three bedroom units, as well as a spa themed along the lines of the traditional Hammam healing baths.
To be managed by the award-winning Thai hospitality operator Anantara Resorts & Spas, Qasr Al Sarab will be a showpiece in TDIC's expanding development portfolio and a key element in widening Abu Dhabi's business and leisure tourism offerings.
"With the retaining walls which define the structure of the development now complete, the project is on course for its planned opening in September 2009," said Lee Tabler, CEO, TDIC. "We have already embarked on international marketing of this singular destination to establish the resort's unique MICE and leisure credentials.
"We intend Qasr Al Sarab to be the last word in elegance and opulence as well as providing a memorable desert experience. It will be an outstanding tribute to its surrounding lands and to people who appreciate the unusual, tranquillity and culture."
Working with Anantara, which is renowned for delivering distinct cultural, heritage and natural beauty experiences associated with its resorts, TDIC is planning to provide an 'oasis experience' alongside Qasr Al Sarab, complete with a water hole supplying traditional 'Falaj' irrigation systems with indigenous animals grazing. The retreat will also feature an adjoining tented village where guests will be able to sample traditional desert pursuits such as falconry and camel riding. They will also be able to experience a range of tours and safaris leaving from a nearby excursion village.
"We envisage widespread appeal from the meetings industry for this singular destination which will have a banqueting and meetings hall with a capacity for 150 people. This will be a setting for the most memorable of corporate gatherings responding to increased global demand for imaginative venues," said Tabler.
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About Tourism Development & Investment Company:
Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) is Abu Dhabi's leading tourism asset developer and the name behind some of the world's most significant tourism projects. Its flagship development is Saadiyat Island, a 27 square kilometre natural island lying just 500 metres offshore Abu Dhabi city, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The island is being transformed into a signature leisure, cultural and residential destination. TDIC is also behind the unique Desert Islands project, one of the world's largest sustainable island tourism destinations currently under development.
TDIC will develop the real estate and tourism assets that support Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority's (ADTA) mission of assisting UAE economic diversification through tourism development. The company, launched with an initial paid-up capital of Dhs100m ($27.5m) with its shareholding fully owned by ADTA, operates along strictly commercial lines with its projects being self-sustaining and economically feasible.
TDIC's activities include creating development and tourism related concepts for specific sites and locations, disposing of, or repositioning, government-owned tourism related assets, entering into joint ventures with investment partners for assets such as hotels or residential products, as well as serving as the master developer for large scale projects.
For further information:
Bassem Terkawi,
Deputy Director PR & Events,
TDIC
Tel: +9712 6540230
Alex St.Claire,
MCS/Action
Tel: +971 4 390 2960
© Press Release 2008
