Yas Island, Abu Dhabi's Mixed Use Mega-Project Continues Expansion Plans

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Aldar, one of Abu Dhabi's top real estate development companies is set to bring Yas Island, Abu Dhabi's major destination for business and leisure travellers to Arabian Travel Market, the leading travel exhibition for the Middle East region that starts tomorrow in Dubai.

Since November 2009, when it welcomed the public ahead of the first Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Island has evolved into a major business and leisure hub. Located between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and just 10 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport, Yas Island has a wide range of hotels and attractions to cater for all travellers.

The Yas Hotel has developed its reputation as one of the most iconic five star hotels in Abu Dhabi, and has welcomed high-level governmental meetings, awards ceremonies and corporate conferences. The profile of the hotel has blossomed inside and outside the GCC, culminating in the award of the "World's Best New Hotel" at the World Travel Awards in London in November 2010.

Six other hotels on Yas Island offering 1,800 rooms and conferencing facilities have been developed around a plaza close to the Yas Marina Circuit. The hotels are owned by Aldar and operated by global brands IHG (Crowne Plaza and Staybridge Suites), Rezidor (Radisson Blu and Park Inn) and leading regional operator Rotana (Rotana and Centro).

Last year also saw the launch of a number of new destinations to great acclaim.

• Opened in the summer of 2010, Yas Links Golf Course, the first true links in the region, has further strengthened Abu Dhabi's position as a major golf tourism destination. It was also decorated with the coveted Best Golf Course and Best Club accolades by Middle East Golfer, the region's leading consumer golf magazine, in its 2010 awards.

• Ferrari World Abu Dhabi opened in November 2010, becoming the world's largest indoor theme park and the first ever Ferrari theme park in the world. The park hosts over more than 20 Ferrari-inspired rides and attractions for the entire family including the world's fastest roller coaster and the region's first duelling coaster.

• The Yas Yacht Club is now open and has become a vibrant entertainment destination with Cipriani, Stars'n'Bars and Allure nightclub all proving to be a welcome addition to Abu Dhabi's dining and nightlife options.

Yas Island has also played host to diverse range of international and regional artists such as Eric Clapton, DJ Tiesto, Stevie Wonder, Shakira and Amr Diab during its Show Weekends and a full programme of year-round cultural and sporting events are now in place.

Looking ahead, Yas Island is set to become a major retail destination for the UAE. The largest IKEA store in the MENA region opened in March, and Yas Mall, a super regional Mall is set for completion in Q3 2013. In addition, an exciting new water park concept is also scheduled for completion on Yas Island in 2013.

Mohamed Al Mubarak Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Commercial Officer, Aldar Properties, commented, "It is great to be returning to Arabian Travel Market to showcase the further developments at Yas Island and explore collaboration opportunities with the wider tourism industry. Over the past two years, a range of exciting new attractions have allowed Yas Island to establish itself as a destination catering to a diverse variety of visitors from business travellers to family leisure visitors."

Yas Island first opened to the public in November 2009 ahead of the inaugural Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, when Aldar delivered Yas Marina Circuit, seven hotels, the Yas Marina and all related infrastructure. The region's first links golf course, Yas Links, opened in 2010 as did Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the world's largest indoor theme park. The Yas Yacht Club is now open and has become a vibrant destination with Cipriani, Stars'n'Bars and Allure nightclub joining Abu Dhabi's diverse dining and nightlife options. Yas Gateway Park is also now open and provides parkland for recreation as well as parking for the island's major events.

The largest IKEA store in the MENA region opened its doors in March 2011 and development continues across Yas Island with Yas Mall, a major retail complex (completion Q3 2013) and Yas Water Park (completion Q1 2013) in progress.

 

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