The Crown unveiled at Palm Jebel Ali to promote family tourism

Dubai's leading property developer, Nakheel, together with Busch Entertainment Corporation, is planning a 380-acre development across the Palm Jebel Ali, called The Crown, targeting the families and conservation.

The Crown will include resorts, hotels, and four theme parks namely the Busch Gardens, Aquatica, Seaworld and the Discovery Cove. Construction of The Crown is expected to begin by the end of the year. It will be linked to the Palm Jebel Ali's main crescent through a tunnel on the western side and through a bridge on the eastern side.

The Corporate Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Busch, Joseph A Couceiro said "It makes a statement even for Dubai."

The Palm Jebel Ali has a unique marine life with 504 water-homes, which is the biggest number of water-homes in the world. Shaikh Mohammed's Floating proverb too, is likely to begin construction by the end of this year, he added.

Busch Gardens will mainly house African animals which can thrive in Dubai temperatures and the Seaworld and Discovery Cove will include dolphins and other marine life.

The Crown will be open for visitors by the year 2012, and will be mainly family-oriented, as Nakheel and Dubai intend to promote family tourism.

The project is still in the planning stages, but Couceiro revealed that they expect several million people in the parks every year.

The Palm Jebel Ali development, including The Crown, is likely to house 57 hotels and 23,000 rooms on the whole, out of which The Crown will contribute 3000 to 4000 rooms.