Dubai: Dubai is seen as well suited to become the global yachting and boating community's premier destination.
With several large waterfront developments, the emirate is trying to position itself as a maritime hub.
With its three
ambitious Palm island developments on Dubai's coast, real estate
developer Nakheel has taken the lead in this drive.
Saeed Hareb, director
of Nakheel Marinas and managing director of Dubai International Marine
Club, said: "If you look at projects such as The Palm trilogy and The
World, Dubai is offering an experience that rivals the traditional
European boating hubs of Monte Carlo, Cannes and St Tropez.
"Developers are
continuously adding new berths to meet the demands and requirements for
a wide range of craft from small boats to mega-yachts."
Speaking on the
sidelines of Arabian Travel Market, Hareb said more than 51,000 marina
berths are being built in various development.
"Dubai is already looking at becoming the number one marine and yachting destination. In some aspects, we already are," he said.
Nakheel has launched a
new waterfront project called Worlds of Discovery, an island in the
shape of Shamu, a whale. It will occupy a section of the Palm Jebel Ali
known as 'The Crown' and the concept masterplan includes four theme
parks, SeaWorld, Aquatica, Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove. Hareb
believes Dubai's cultivation of a luxury lifestyle associated with the
world's boating elite will attract the world's rich to the city.
"We are not only
providing berths and marinas but more so the lifestyle associated with
becoming the world's leading yachting destination," he said.
He added Dubai needs to "identify new opportunities that will attract more international names to our shores."
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