Festival Marina celebrates first anniversary

As part of the celebrations Festival Marina will host the inaugural Dubai Boating Festival this October.

Built, designed and managed by IGY, Festival Marina is a unique yachting destination in Dubai.

Located at the heart of Dubai Festival City, on the banks of Dubai Creek, Festival Marina forms part of the retail resort which offers convenient access to the wide range of entertainment, shopping and eating options in the surrounding area.

The Dubai Boating Festival, a joint initiative between Festival Marina and Festival Centre at Dubai Festival City, will be held at Festival Marina on 24th and 25th October 2008.

A celebration of Dubai's strong maritime heritage, the Dubai Boating Festival is an opportunity for visitors to watch and take part in a series of regatta themed activities including dhow races, dragon boat and jet-boat rides and a historical exhibition about Dubai Creek.

Over the past 12 months Festival Marina has established a reputation as the region's leading yacht dealer showcase marina with nine yacht dealers and manufacturers represented through a number of top-of-the-range yachts available for prospective buyers to board and see at first hand.

The berth occupancy rate at Festival Marina is currently at over 100% reflecting the marina's prime location and the high quality services that IGY managed marina's offer.

The Mediterranean inspired Festival Marina encompasses 74 permanent berths with state-of-the-art facilities to accommodate 15 to 35 metre yachts.

The custom-designed marina has a number of special features including extra wide pontoons, a helicopter pad and WiFi.

Michael Horrigan, CEO of IGY Middle East and Europe commented:

'It has been an exciting 12 months for Festival Marina as it has evolved into the region's leading yacht dealer showcase marina. Festival Marina benefits from the prime Creek-side setting and the close proximity of top-end facilities within the retail resort at Dubai Festival City. The Dubai Boating Festival in October will be a fantastic opportunity for boat enthusiasts, sailors and the general public to take part in a marine-themed event which we hope will not only entertain but also educate.'

Phil Blake, Marina Manager of Festival Marina added: 'Festival Marina was created to enhance Dubai Festival City's waterfront setting, offering an array of amenities for Dubai's residents and tourists alike. Exclusive features, such as a private helipad and commercial helicopter services available on site, make Festival Marina stand apart from other marina facilities within the region.'

In keeping with its international appeal, Festival Marina will be the only facility in the UAE with quay side mooring as is found in the waterside towns of Europe.

This feature allows visiting yachts to moor directly at the Festival Centre's doorstep, so passengers can go ashore and spend the day at Dubai Festival City.

Yachts berthed at other marinas around Dubai will now have more freedom to explore the upper reaches of the Creek.

Overlooking Festival Marina, Festival Centre has become a major attraction for the yachting circuit.

The retail resort is home to over 400 shops including 15 anchor stores and 60 restaurants and cafés, a 12 screen Grand Cinemas complex and Bowling City.

The waterfront promenade links Festival Marina to the world renowned InterContinental and Crowne Plaza Hotels and Events Centre and by 2010 the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel, all with prime waterfront views over Festival Marina, Dubai Creek and the city's skyline.