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Saadiyat Island - Abu Dhabi's new $27 billion tourism development project.

 
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30 Apr 2006

Saadiyat Island, currently being developed by Tourism Development & Investment Company under Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, is set to become a leading tourist destination in the Middle East in the coming years. Saadiyat Island, which translates from Arabic into Island of Happiness, will be developed in three phases from 2006-2018. Half the size of the tropical island of Bermuda, Saadiyat will be the Middle East's largest single natural island real estate development.

"Saadiyat's development will heighten awareness of Abu Dhabi's plans for economic diversification and will reinforce the perception of the capital city as a regional, and international, business and tourism hub. Saadiyat is a symbol of Abu Dhabi's renewed economic openness and a signal to the world that this emirate is very much open for partnerships and business on an international scale," stated His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Executive Council Chairman.

Saadiyat will be a premier island destination as well as modern, integrated residential community of over 150,000 people, where people can live, work and enjoy a host of leisure and tourism facilities in addition to cultural and civic amenities. Major property development parcels are being offered to UAE and GCC investors on a freehold basis, with non-GCC investors being offered 99-year leases or 50-year renewable leases.

Saadiyat Island - Abu Dhabi's new $27 billion tourism development project.

Saadiyat will have six distinct districts: Cultural District, Al Marina, Saadiyat Beach, South Beach, Saadiyat Park and The Wetlands, delivering a multitude of experiences with complementary environments and all connected by a palm-lined arterial freeway. The island will have 19 kilometres of white, sandy beach, two golf courses, 29 hotels with over 7,000 rooms, including an iconic 7-star property, three marinas with berthing for 1,000 vessels, over 8,000 private villas, resorts set on spectacular beaches, over 38,000 apartments and eight iconic 'string of pearl' architectural landmarks housing museums, a concert hall, art gallery and major cultural offerings.

Saadiyat will be linked to Abu Dhabi city via two iconic causeways, each with 10-lane freeways and one of which will have provision for light rail transport. "The Saadiyat Island masterplan embraces strategic transport initiatives when planning for the future. This will be an environment where the individual, not the car, will take priority, with pedestrian access and cycle paths throughout."



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