An artist's perception of Reef Worlds underwater attraction
Underwater attractions key for future of Mideast tourism
DUBAI, October 29, 2014
The Future World Summit, being held in Dubai, UAE, in December will focus on the growing importance of underwater projects in the Middle Eastern tourism market.
Recent developments in artificial reefs and other underwater attractions are set to become an important part of the Middle Eastern travel and tourism market, as countries in the region begin to get serious about entering the $3 billion dive and snorkel marketplace.
“Reef Worlds addresses a critical problem cities, such as Dubai, have with the lack of water-based tourism or footprint in the global dive and snorkel marketplace. In the waters in and around Dubai there are few, if any, underwater engagement points,” said Patric Douglas, Reef World’s CEO.
“Resort developers along Dubai's expanding coastline are now realising that with the creation of Dynamic Reefs, unique sites that are designed for habitat and tourism, they can increase revenues, client satisfaction and give a much needed boost to degraded regional habitats,” he added.
Douglas will be involved in the Future Tourism Summit which will be held in Dubai on December 9 and 10.
At the event, he will also update delegates on the development of the recently announced The Pearl of Dubai project. Design work has now been completed on what will be the world’s largest underwater theme park, with the five-acre park modelled after the mythical lost city of Atlantis and inspired by the look of recent Hollywood films.
In addition to its Dubai development, Reef Worlds has also received interest for similar projects in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, while Oman and Bahrain have already made huge investments into artificial reefs.
The Future Tourism Summit is an event for the travel and tourism industry to come together with government and technology providers. The event will feature a range of unique insights into leading tourism innovations as well as programme of international keynote speakers, interactive breakout sessions and an extensive exhibition showcase of the latest travel technology. - TradeArabia News Service
