Simon Veness
30-04-2007, 03:39 PM
After months of speculation about a new Universal park in the UAE, the theme park company has confirmed they WILL be coming to Dubai in 2010, which only goes to underline how that destination is becoming a MAJOR tourism draw these days. The basic details are a bit sketchy, but are as follows:
"Universal Parks & Resorts is going to build a new Universal Studios theme park as part of an even larger resort area development called Universal City Dubailand in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, according to an announcement made this morning in Dubai by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
The theme park, which is expected to cost $2.2 billion, open in 2010 and eventually draw 5 million visitors a year, will be part of a much larger development that will include hotels, retail outlets, commercial offices and residential compounds."
This is good news for Universal fans, but I wonder how this may impact Florida tourism from the UK, which is already flat. This looks like being a major competing destination, and closer to the UK, too. Would anyone be keen to go to Dubai rather than Orlando??
"Universal Parks & Resorts is going to build a new Universal Studios theme park as part of an even larger resort area development called Universal City Dubailand in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, according to an announcement made this morning in Dubai by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
The theme park, which is expected to cost $2.2 billion, open in 2010 and eventually draw 5 million visitors a year, will be part of a much larger development that will include hotels, retail outlets, commercial offices and residential compounds."
This is good news for Universal fans, but I wonder how this may impact Florida tourism from the UK, which is already flat. This looks like being a major competing destination, and closer to the UK, too. Would anyone be keen to go to Dubai rather than Orlando??