Dubailand, the region’s premier tourism, leisure and entertainment destination and a member of Dubai Properties Group, marked the progress of a significant number of projects in 2009 and is poised to achieve new milestones for the coming year.

Conceptualized as a key tourism driver for Dubai and the UAE, Dubailand is home to various projects being developed by renowned international and local investors. Key 2009 highlights included a strategic agreement with Royal Caribbean International, Dubai Sports City’s opening of the internationally renowned Butch Harmon School of Golf at The Els Club, and the opening of the 25,000-seat Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

The year also witnessed a number of handovers of residential, retail and commercial units including MotorCity, Al Barari’s exclusive villas, and Dubai Properties Group’s Leyan and The Villa communities. In addition, Global Village commenced its 14th successful season, while Dubai Lifestyle City began construction of the luxurious J.W. Marriott Hotel.

Since June 2009, Dubai Sports City in Dubailand has also handed over more than 320 villas in its golf-residential community of Victory Heights to home owners.

Mohammed Al Habbai, CEO, Dubailand, said: “In spite of the challenging global economic environment, it was an exciting year for Dubailand, with a number of important milestones for our investors. Our approach has always been to drive local, regional and international visitors to Dubailand attractions. This year, we have focused on developing inherent demand from within the UAE by building critical residential mass. Dubailand now has exclusive pockets of residential communities such as the Arabian Ranches, MotorCity, Leyan Community, The Villa and Al Barari, making the destination an attractive place to ‘live, work and play’.”

At the much-anticipated MotorCity, which provides racing action in the heart of Dubailand, over 1,300 residential, retail and commercial units were handed over during the year. The state-of-the-art mixed use development features exceptional entertainment, dining, leisure, retail, residential and commercial options, while the Dubai Autodrome with its FIA-sanctioned 5.39km circuit caters to motorsports and racing enthusiasts.

Dubai Properties Group unveiled an impressive portfolio of ready-to-lease villas and apartments at the Mediterranean-themed Leyan Community located in the heart of Dubailand. It also commenced handover of ‘The Villa’ project – a tranquil Spanish style residential retreat inspired by outdoor living featuring four, five and six-bedroom terraced villas.

Global Village, the region’s most popular cultural, entertainment and shopping venue, commenced a 98-day season from 22 November 2009 featuring a scheduled bouquet of attractions with more than 4,000 cultural shows and performances. Inspired by the four elements of nature – air, water, fire, and earth, the shows will run until 27 February 2010.

Al Habbai added, “The region’s premier tourism, leisure and entertainment destination is a project of extraordinary vision that is unfolding a number of components every year. Today, visitors and residents can experience Dubailand for sport, entertainment, culture, shopping and lifestyle activities. Our investors have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to delivering key components of this world class destination.”

Al Barari in Dubailand, an exotic garden boasting spacious villas, vibrant culture and tranquil retreats inspired by the desert oasis and wilderness, has also started the handover of its exclusive villas.

Dubai Lifestyle City, a comprehensive Tuscan-themed lifestyle project in Dubailand conceptualized and executed by ETA Star Group announced the completion of infrastructure work at the development in early 2009 and held a ground breaking ceremony to mark the beginning of the construction work of the luxurious J.W. Marriott Hotel. The construction work on the villas in Dubai Lifestyle City is currently making steady progress.

The popular Dubai Outlet Mall in Dubailand, the only ‘outlet’ concept mall in the Middle East dedicated to being a true value retail destination, launched two customer service innovations in a UAE mall – the first ‘Taxi Lounge’ and the first ‘Father and Baby’ room.

The strategic agreement with Royal Caribbean International, the world’s largest cruise line, provided a substantial boost to the cruise industry in the region. Royal Caribbean is offering pre- and post-tour packages with shore excursions to Dubailand in order to help guests get the most out of Dubai.

With the advent of Royal Caribbean International’s Brilliance of the Seas into the UAE waters this year from 18 January to April, Dubailand’s attractions such as Dubai Autodrome in MotorCity, Dubai Outlet Mall in Outlet City, The Global Village, and Dubai Sports City are gearing up to receive several hundred cruise tourists this year, in addition to the over eight million visits already recorded at this popular destination.

Source: AME Info – 24th January 2010