NCT&H Plans Resort for Saadiyat Island
ABU DHABI, UAE, July 17, 2006. The Abu Dhabi based National Corporation for Tourism & Hotels has signed an agreement with the UAE capital's Tourism Development & Investment Company to develop an 809,000 sq. ft plot of land on Saadiyat Island, for a new five-star waterfront resort.
The huge resort, which will be set among natural beach dunes and in an eco-environment on the shores of the Saadiyat Beach district - one of six in the masterplan for the 27 square kilometre island, will feature a six-storey hotel with up to 400 rooms.
"Design of the resort is progressing with the concept focussing on a tranquil resort sanctuary with beach-front restaurants and cafes and a wellness centre," explained Abdullah Al Romaithi, Managing Director, NCT&H.
"NCT&H has the greatest confidence in the transformation of Saadiyat into a signature destination and believes it is central to the tourism offering of Abu Dhabi for which it needs to be a part. We anticipate opening the resort within three years."
The new resort may be operated by an international brand and discussions with a key industry name are already underway.
"Since the launch of plans to transform Saadiyat Island into an international tourism destination we have received intense interest from investors locally, regionally and internationally," said Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and Managing Director, TDIC.
"Saadiyat Beach will be the first area to be developed and the NCT&H resort an anchor proposition in this flagship destination."
Saadiyat Beach, to the north west of the island, will have a range of five-star resorts flanking nine kilometres of pristine beach, a championship golf course with freehold villas, dedicated sailing club and private beach clubs all creating a celebrity see-and-be-seen atmosphere.
Saadiyat Island, which translates from Arabic as 'Island of Happiness,' is to be developed in three phases from 2006-2018. Enabling works to clear the ground for infrastructure development of Saadiyat Island are already underway.
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