Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), the name behind some of the most prestigious tourism initiatives in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, has appointed the award-winning Thai hospitality operator Anantara Resorts & Spas to manage two unique five-star resorts within the emirate.
Anantara, a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, will manage the boutique Desert Islands Resort & Spa, which will be the centrepiece of the unique Sir Bani Yas island experience, as well as the Anantara Qasr Al Sarab retreat, planned for the inspiring Liwa desert in Arabia's Empty Quarter (Rub Al-Khali). The two will be the first Anantara-managed hotels in the emirate.
"Anantara has established an exceptional reputation within Abu Dhabi for the operation of its ultra-deluxe spa at the seven-star Emirates Palace Hotel," said Mubarak Al Muhairi, Managing Director, TDIC and Director General of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA). "It will now bring its internationally-renowned reputation for delivering distinct experiences immersed in culture, heritage and natural beauty to these truly unique resorts.
"Once again TDIC has delivered on its commitment to engage with world-class partners to deliver unsurpassed hospitality experiences for the most discerning travellers."
The 64-room Desert Islands Resort & Spa, which is scheduled for a soft-opening in the second quarter of next year, will be central to the opening up of Sir Bani Yas, a former Royal eco-resort which lies eight kilometres off Abu Dhabi's western coastline. Sir Bani Yas is the largest of eight islands which, together with an onshore gate, will ultimately make up the multi-experiential Desert Islands destination.
"Starting the second quarter of this year, guests at the Desert Islands Resort & Spa, will have access to this inspirational island with its unique wildlife herds, including some previously-threatened breeds which were successfully bred in captivity under the directive of the late UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan," said Lee Tabler, CEO of TDIC.
"Sir Bani Yas has been something of a closely kept secret which will now be attainable by resort guests and a select number of day visitors."
Apart from rooms in the main hotel building, the resort will feature one and two-bedroom chalets, a spa with an inspiring range of locally-influenced and Thai treatments, two swimming pools - one overlooking the vast expanse of the Arabian Gulf - a fitness centre, tennis court and an extensive children's play area. Guests can dine in any one of three restaurants and a delicatessen, relax in the library or shop in the gift boutique. The resort will also attract exclusive incentives business with a choice of three venues - a private dining room, board room and a meeting room.
Hotel guests will have access to the planned Sir Bani Yas Arabian National Park - one of the world's largest island nature reserves - which will have a phased opening from the second quarter of this year.
Designed as an aspirational desert retreat, amid the towering dunes of the Liwa district, the Anantara Qasr Al Sarab, will be just 90 minutes drive from Abu Dhabi International Airport. Fashioned in a style reminiscent of a desert fortress, the resort will be the ultimate in 'get-away' luxury and will also boast a luxury health spa, a conference centre, adjoining excursion and tented villages and a children's playground. It is scheduled to open in 2009.
"Creating a destination experience is at the core of the Anantara philosophy and one that the brand takes seriously," said Michael Sagild, COO of Minor International, Anantara's holding company. "All our resorts offer first-class, unobtrusive service, spa facilities and a range of adventure activities associated with their individual locations. Abu Dhabi is a very welcome addition to our highly selective destination portfolio, which currently includes luxury resorts in Thailand, the Maldives and Bali."
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About Desert Islands:
The Desert Islands destination - which lies off the emirate's western coastline - is one of the world's largest sustainable island tourism destinations, currently under development. The island lies 250 kms offshore Abu Dhabi Island - the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. The island will consist of eight islands and an onshore gate - providing a multitude of experiences encompassing a nature reserve, a cultural destination and a showcase for world-class environmental, conservation and ecological tourism, including the Arabian National Park.
Desert Islands will comprise the former 87 square km of Royal Nature Reserve of Sir Bani Yas Island, the historical 33 square km of Dalma Island, and the Discovery Islands - six nearby offshore outcrops.
Sir Bani Yas Island - originally conceived as a wildlife reserve over 20 years ago to ensure the survival of some of Arabia's most endangered species - is one of Sheikh Zayed's greatest legacies. The 87 square kilometer natural island lies 170 kilometres offshore Abu Dhabi Island - the capital city of the United Arab Emirates and 8 kilometres off the mainland. Island is being developed with focus on nature, and adventure, and it will be a showcase of sustainability.
The Island is being developed sustainably through the Masdar Initiative executed in conjunction with the government's new Abu Dhabi future energy company to utilise solar and wind power throughout Island. All water on Sir Bani Yas Island will be sourced from a new desalination plant. Transport on the islands will be via electrical vehicles or similar energy saving vehicles (hydrogen, fuel cell) and Buildings will be built using the best available sustainable designs, which will lead to a reduction in the use of non-renewable resources. The plan also includes five-star hotels to small family resorts. The first hotel, the Arabian National Park and a number of visitor activities are expected to be open by 2008.
The Discovery Islands are formed by six individual islands and their surrounding seas, rich in marine life, will be a world class example of environmental conservation and ecological tourism. The Islands will offer the highest level of service and accommodation in a setting and experience not to be found within a 3000km radius. The beaches are all naturally beautiful and secluded and the waters will provide those snorkeling with clear and uninterrupted views of pristine sea life. Two Islands will be reserved to provide birds and turtles with undisturbed breeding grounds and two islands will be developed into exclusive 'mini resorts' and remaining islands will provide a shared habitat, offering a camping experience delivering the authenticity of untouched and deserted islands.
Dalma Island is approximately 33 square kms in size and lies 32 kilometres offshore. It will provide a true heritage experience being rich in history and archaeological finds and where traditional fishing, farming and aquaculture livelihoods continue. Currently Dalma Island accommodates 5000 nationals working as grass farmers. The number has gradually declined from over 7000 some 50 years ago. Dalma will have a new town centre with an archaeological museum, an inter-active children's learning experience and a tourism and hospitality school. The fertile island will also be home to an agricultural research and education centre focused on new technology and integrated alternative energy sources. The existing Dalma Island marina is to be upgraded to include restaurants, cafés and berthing for luxury boats.
The island will also upgrade a 2.8 km airstrip to a fully-operational commercial airport and make a hub for visitors arriving to the Desert Islands via aeroplane from Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The Island will also include a 'Centre of Excellence' educational facility and community centres, providing local residents with state-of-the-art educational facilities to help them become involved in the tourism industry.
Desert Islands is expected to attract around 250000 visitors when the first phase is complete in 2010, rising to over a million a year - a mix of day trippers and overnight stayers - by 2020.Desert Islands will be linked to the main Abu Dhabi island and the Abu Dhabi mainland via ferry, high-speed boats, water taxis, private 'resort' boat services, regional planes and sea planes making the destination easily accessible.
Desert Islands is being developed by the Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), an independent public joint stock company of which Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority is the sole shareholder. TDIC has estimated total investment from both the government and private sector over US $3 billion (AED 11.5 billion).
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 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 AED100 million (US $27.5 million) 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
PR & Communications Manager, TDIC
Tel: +9712 4443000;
fax: +9712 4443111.
Barbara Saunders,
MCS/Action.
Tel: +9714 390 2960;
fax: +9714 390 8161
e-mail:barbara.s@actionprgroup.com
© Press Release 2008
