Australian Business Group Chairman tips Dubai Festival City as major future tourist attraction

David Bray was speaking after ABIG members were given a presentation about the project - the Middle East's largest mixed-use real estate development - on the Dubai Festival City barge berthed on the Creek.

"This is a huge undertaking and one which will be a major tourist attraction particularly as it is so close to the airport," said Bray. Dubai Festival City is just two kilometres from Dubai International
Airport.

"I can see it being particularly popular with Australian tourists as some of its features are reminiscent of waterfront communities in Australia," added Bray.

"We anticipate a substantial increase in Australian tourists to Dubai over the coming years with Emirates increasing its flights to the country. Tourist traffic in both directions will surge and projects such as Dubai Festival City will help spread news of Dubai worldwide."

Dubai Festival City is intended to be a world-class, waterfront shopping and leisure destination for local residents and tourists from within the GCC and further afield.

The project is aimed at bringing a 'sense of place' to the heart of Dubai.

"It is certainly a highly ambitious project," said Leo Fewtrell, Manager-Dnata Holidays and an ABIG member. "Many of us were quite surprised at the sheer breadth of offerings in the project."

Major infrastructure work on Dubai Festival City is now complete and work is progressing on its 18-hole championship Al Badia Golf Resort, that will be completed by the first quarter of 2004. This will include the 18-hole championship golf course and adjacent residential units.