ID :
29280
Sun, 11/09/2008 - 14:03
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http://m.oananews.org//node/29280
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Abu Dhabi Crown Prince inaugurates Desert Islands project on Sir Bani Yas
Abu Dhabi, Nov 9, 2008 (WAM) - Desert Islands - the new nature-based destination offshore Abu Dhabi's Al Gharbia (Western Region) - has arrived on the international tourism scene with the opening of Sir Bani Yas Island.
H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, officially inaugurated the first phase of the comprehensive tourism edifice, regarded as a regional and international model of sustainable development.
Sheikh Mohammed inspected the models and plans of the next phases of the project, which include tourism projects on Sir Bani Yas and its surrounding islands. The Abu Dhabi Crown Prince was briefed about the projects and their potentials in attracting large number of tourists. The projects, expected to be completed in 2014, include six hotels and resorts, beachfronts for marine sports, camping facilities and Arab-heritage-styled villages criss-crossed by water canals and wharfs in a blend of heritage and modernity.
Sheikh Mohammed also inspected the more than 500-student capacity educational centre of the Desert Island on the Delma Island. The centre was built to translate into action the directives of President H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and H.H. Sheikh Mohammed himself, to help boost the capacity building of the sons and daughters of Delma Island and the Western Region, in general.
Upon completion of the eight natural islands projects in 2018, they will provide more than 6500 jobs for the sons and daughters of the region.
The opening of the 64-room boutique Desert Islands Resort and Spa, managed by the award-winning Thai hospitality group Anantara, has also signalled the arrival of Al Gharbia on the global tourism map.
Sir Bani Yas Island is one of eight natural islands which make up Desert Islands and is being developed by Tourism Development '&' Investment Company (TDIC) - a master developer of major leisure, residential and tourism destination within Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.
"The launch of Desert Islands' first phase is a milestone, not only in TDIC's history, but in that of Al Gharbia," explained Lee Tabler, CEO, TDIC. "As the first TDIC proprietary product to come on line, the opening up of Sir Bani Yas Island has given us a great sense of satisfaction, particularly as it has been achieved in less than three years of the company's launch. It is also a flagship development for Al Gharbia and a paradigm of how the great potential of this region can be leveraged in a solid, sustainable manner." Originally conceived as a wildlife reserve to ensure the survival of Arabia's most endangered species, Sir Bani Yas Island is one of the great legacies of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the late President of the UAE. Today it hosts the Arabian Wildlife Park which spans three quarters of this 87 square kilometre island and is home to a variety of free roaming animals including one of the world's largest herds, of more than 400, of Arabian oryx.
Desert Islands Resort and Spa guests can experience a variety of adventure and nature-based activities including 4x4 guided tours of the Arabian Wildlife Park, mountain biking and hiking on the island's rugged salt domes, kayaking through its lush mangrove reserve, home to over 60 species of migratory bird life, and snorkelling in the marine-life rich waters off the island which are inhabited by dolphins, dugongs and sea turtles.
Sir Bani Yas Island lies alongside Jebel Dhanna in Al Gharbia, a 250 kilometre drive from Abu Dhabi city, followed by a 15 minute boat trip. Alternatively, guests can opt for a 50 minute flight by sea plane linking Abu Dhabi International Airport with the island. The sea plane service is operated by Empire Aviation.
"The Sir Bani Yas Island experience starts from the moment guests step on to the boat or sea plane and enter this remote and exclusive get-away," added Tabler.
The Desert Islands destination, designed as a showpiece in sustainability, will comprise Sir Bani Yas Island, the heritage-rich Dalma Island and a range of rocky outcrops - the Discovery Islands.
H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, officially inaugurated the first phase of the comprehensive tourism edifice, regarded as a regional and international model of sustainable development.
Sheikh Mohammed inspected the models and plans of the next phases of the project, which include tourism projects on Sir Bani Yas and its surrounding islands. The Abu Dhabi Crown Prince was briefed about the projects and their potentials in attracting large number of tourists. The projects, expected to be completed in 2014, include six hotels and resorts, beachfronts for marine sports, camping facilities and Arab-heritage-styled villages criss-crossed by water canals and wharfs in a blend of heritage and modernity.
Sheikh Mohammed also inspected the more than 500-student capacity educational centre of the Desert Island on the Delma Island. The centre was built to translate into action the directives of President H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and H.H. Sheikh Mohammed himself, to help boost the capacity building of the sons and daughters of Delma Island and the Western Region, in general.
Upon completion of the eight natural islands projects in 2018, they will provide more than 6500 jobs for the sons and daughters of the region.
The opening of the 64-room boutique Desert Islands Resort and Spa, managed by the award-winning Thai hospitality group Anantara, has also signalled the arrival of Al Gharbia on the global tourism map.
Sir Bani Yas Island is one of eight natural islands which make up Desert Islands and is being developed by Tourism Development '&' Investment Company (TDIC) - a master developer of major leisure, residential and tourism destination within Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.
"The launch of Desert Islands' first phase is a milestone, not only in TDIC's history, but in that of Al Gharbia," explained Lee Tabler, CEO, TDIC. "As the first TDIC proprietary product to come on line, the opening up of Sir Bani Yas Island has given us a great sense of satisfaction, particularly as it has been achieved in less than three years of the company's launch. It is also a flagship development for Al Gharbia and a paradigm of how the great potential of this region can be leveraged in a solid, sustainable manner." Originally conceived as a wildlife reserve to ensure the survival of Arabia's most endangered species, Sir Bani Yas Island is one of the great legacies of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the late President of the UAE. Today it hosts the Arabian Wildlife Park which spans three quarters of this 87 square kilometre island and is home to a variety of free roaming animals including one of the world's largest herds, of more than 400, of Arabian oryx.
Desert Islands Resort and Spa guests can experience a variety of adventure and nature-based activities including 4x4 guided tours of the Arabian Wildlife Park, mountain biking and hiking on the island's rugged salt domes, kayaking through its lush mangrove reserve, home to over 60 species of migratory bird life, and snorkelling in the marine-life rich waters off the island which are inhabited by dolphins, dugongs and sea turtles.
Sir Bani Yas Island lies alongside Jebel Dhanna in Al Gharbia, a 250 kilometre drive from Abu Dhabi city, followed by a 15 minute boat trip. Alternatively, guests can opt for a 50 minute flight by sea plane linking Abu Dhabi International Airport with the island. The sea plane service is operated by Empire Aviation.
"The Sir Bani Yas Island experience starts from the moment guests step on to the boat or sea plane and enter this remote and exclusive get-away," added Tabler.
The Desert Islands destination, designed as a showpiece in sustainability, will comprise Sir Bani Yas Island, the heritage-rich Dalma Island and a range of rocky outcrops - the Discovery Islands.
