The tourism potential of $33-billion Dubai World Central (DWC) project will be a spotlight of a key exhibition in Dubai.

The 140 sq km urban development project in Jebel Ali, UAE, is likely to woo more investments at the inaugural Tourism Development Projects & Investment Market (TDIM) exhibition between January 20-22 at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre, the company said in a statement.

Of the $90 billion worth of local and international projects to be displayed at the exhibition, the $ 33-billion DWC – twice the size of Hong Kong Island - will be among the largest to attract global corporate and individual investors in a bid to up Dubai’s tourism sector which currently contributes 30 per cent to the emirate’s economy, it added.

“Dubai’s target to triple its GDP to $112 billion by 2015 will be aided by the region’s tremendous tourism potential which has received investment commitments of $ 328 billion in tourism related projects so far,” said Dubai World Central CEO for Real Estate Khalid bin Harib.

“Projects like Dubai World Central serve as a catalyst to that boom. DWC’s aim is to create a perfect environment for potential investment prospects and set new standards for substantial tourism development in the UAE. With DWC becoming a regional and global hub model, there are several opportunities for the leisure, hospitality and entertainment sector operators to set up a base within this huge city,” he added.

“DWC will be a perfect asset provider to investors, tourism officials, tourism facilities operators, global destination brands and specialists visiting TDIM.”

DWC’s infrastructure, centred around Al Maktoum International Airport, set to be the world’s largest, will be ably supported by the surrounding real estate components - DWC Residential City, DWC Commercial City and DWC Golf City, with over 900,000 people living and working there.

Besides serving as a future tourism gateway to all the nearby projects, the Al Maktoum International Airport itself, when fully operational by 2015, will be a huge tourist attraction. The new airport will have an annual capacity of up to 150 million passengers.
 
“The project has a unique approach to tourism, encompassing every level of tourist activity from mid-income leisure and entertainment to the premium segment resorts, spas, wellbeing and recreational centres,” said DWC’s Director for Marketing and Corporate Communications Abdulla Al Falasi.

While DWC Residential City will have a number of budget and five to three star hotels catering to over 250,000 residents, DWC Golf City will host premier golfing resorts, themed parks, spas and other leisure facilities.

Dubai World Central’s first residents will move into their homes in mid-2009 while the first hotels are expected to commence construction by end of this year. – TradeArabia News Service