Al Marjan Island

Al Marjan Island is a group of 4 coral-shaped islands in a man-made archipelago located in Ras al-Khaimah, in the Persian Gulf. It is administered by the Al Marjan Island Company.[1] Several resorts, beaches and other tourism destinations are located in the four islands, being one of the UAE's top tourism spots.[2] The area received over 100 thousand visitors during 2013.[3][4]

Al Marjan Island
Master Developer
IndustryReal Estate
Founded2012
HeadquartersRas Al Khaimah,
UAE
Key people
Khalid Bin Saud al Qasimi, Chairman of the Al Marjan Island Company; Arch. Abdullah Rashed Al Abdooli, Managing Director
WebsiteOfficial website

History

Started as a tourism enterprise, the five-year construction development started in 2013 now harbors a quasi-metropolis, fully equipped with a developed residential area and hospitality industry, as well as adjoining infrastructure.[2]

Although still under development, at full operation, it is expected to host up to 20 thousand party-goers at its clubs, hotels and other facilities, with an estimated foreign investment starting at Dh19 billion.[5][6] The Island now houses 45% of the total 5-star hotel rooms in the Emirate through its 3 resorts - the Rixos Bab Al Bahr, Hilton, and Al Marjan Island Hotel & Spa; capacity will exceed 10 thousand rooms by 2017 in the Emirate, half of it in the Island.[4][7][8]

While more than 100 thousand foreigners visited the Island during 2014, 23% of the total number of visitors during the first quarter of 2013 were UAE nationals.[4] The tourism industry is diversifying due to the slump in Russian inward tourism; the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority is now looking towards eastern Europe and the UK to prop up its numbers, with tourism expected to generate approximately 20% of the Emirate's GDP.[9][10]

A project to build a soccer-themed resort sponsored by Real Madrid in the Island was scrapped in late 2013 due to lack of funding.[11] The RAK government, however, is in talks to reformulate that investment with the help of other investors.[12]

Geography

The island group consists of Breeze Island, Treasure Island, Dream Island and View Island. It extends 4.5 kilometres (2.8 mi) into the sea and covers an area of 2,700,000 square metres (29,000,000 sq ft)

Breeze Island counts with several hotels and 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) of waterfront with a promenade.[13]

Treasure Island is a prominently residential area, built on 2,500,000 feet (760,000 m).[14]

Dream Island is an extensive beach area, with several hotels and clubs located on its shores. It possesses 5,000 metres (16,000 ft) of waterfront area.[15]

View Island is the 5,000,000 square feet (460,000 m2) central section of the island group, representing its residential and hospitality urban core.[16]

References
  1. Karantzavelou, Vicky. "Al Marjan Island gears for strong investment activity in 2015". Travel Daily News. Travel Daily News. Archived from the original on 25 February 2015. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
  2. Talwar Badam, Ramola. "RAK's Al Marjan islands to rival Ibiza and Miami". The National. The National. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
  3. Middleton, Ryan. "UAE Looking to Rival Ibiza, Europe With 24-Hour Party Island". Music Times. Music Times. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
  4. Rokou, Tatiana. "Al Marjan Island attracted over 100,000 tourists between January and August 2014". Travel Daily News. Travel Daily News. Archived from the original on 30 October 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
  5. Fortune, Matt. "Al Marjan Islands 'to become a mini-Ibiza'". What's On. What's On. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
  6. "RAK launches party island to 'rival Ibiza'". Construction Week Online. Construction Week Online. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
  7. Sambidge, Andy. "Hilton Doubletree Marjan Island set for expansion". Hotelier MiddleEast. Hotelier MiddleEast. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
  8. Chesters, Crystal. "Hilton signs new Marjan Island property". Hotelier MiddleEast. Hotelier MiddleEast. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
  9. Sahoo, Sananda. "Ras Al Khaimah looks to Russia as tourism numbers slump". The National. The National. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
  10. Sahoo, Sananda. "Ras Al Khaimah reaps the benefits of affordable luxury as international hotel groups move in". The National. The National. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
  11. Fattah, Zainab; Duff, Alex. "Real Madrid Scraps $1 Billion Resort in U.A.E. Sheikhdom". Bloomberg Business. Bloomberg Business. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
  12. Attwood, Ed. "RAK gov't in talks over former Real Madrid-branded island". Arabian Business. Arabian Business. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
  13. "Breeze Island". Al Marjan Island. Al Marjan Island. Archived from the original on 9 November 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
  14. "Treasure Island". Al Marjan Island. Al Marjan Island. Archived from the original on 10 March 2015. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
  15. "Dream Island". Al Marjan Island. Al Marjan Island. Archived from the original on 7 March 2015. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
  16. "View Island". Al Marjan Island. Al Marjan Island. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
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