Abu Dhabi to get marine life-themed park on Yas Island

Abu Dhabi / Emirates Business

Miral and SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:SEAS) (“SeaWorld”) on Tuesday announced their partnership to develop SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, a first-of-its-kind marine life themed park on Yas Island.
This next generation SeaWorld Abu Dhabi will also include the UAE first dedicated marine life research, rescue, rehabilitation and return center with world-class facilities and resources for the care and conservation of local marine life. SeaWorld Abu Dhabi will be the first new SeaWorld without orcas, and will integrate up-close animal experiences, mega attractions and a world-class aquarium, bringing the latest technology in
visitor engagement.
The partnership brings together Miral’s expertise in developing Yas Island’s portfolio of destinations with SeaWorld’s 50-plus years of theme park, veterinary medicine, marine science and zoological practice and experience.
“Abu Dhabi is becoming a first choice destination for regional and global travelers by combining culture, heritage and unique leisure experiences into one compelling proposition. SeaWorld Abu Dhabi further strengthens Yas Island’s position as a global tourism destination,” said His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Miral.
“This announcement reflects the emirate’s ambition to create a sustainable, diversified economy, with tourism as one of its core pillars. Abu Dhabi continues to build sustainable partnerships that deliver on its strategic 2030 Vision, transforming and pioneering new destinations.”
Joel Manby, President and Chief Executive Officer of SeaWorld said: “We are excited to announce our first international expansion and our partnership with Miral as we design a next generation SeaWorld that engages, educates and inspires, a blueprint brought to life in Abu Dhabi.
This new park, combined with a dedicated research, rescue, rehabilitation and return facility focused on marine life care and conservation, continues SeaWorld’s legacy of marine life rescue that spans more than 50 years. This project presents an opportunity for collaboration and greater understanding of how species have adapted to region’s unique marine environment, and to inspire next generation of visitors, conservationists and animal care experts.”
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi’s research, rescue, rehabilitation and return center on Yas Island, will be the first of its kind in the country, providing a state-of-the-art environment for local and global researchers, scientists and marine conservationists to assist them to better understand and learn from the region’s marine life habitats and conditions. Planned to open ahead of the marine life themed park, the facility will provide an important resource for citizens and residents looking to develop or enhance expertise in marine life sciences and will serve as a hub for collaboration with local and international environmental organizations and projects.
Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, CEO of Miral said: “SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is a unique project for the region which complements our portfolio of attractions and enriches Yas Island as the most exciting destination for our visitors. As Abu Dhabi’s developer of unique and exciting destinations, the opportunity to design a next generation marine life themed park in partnership with SeaWorld is bold and ambitious.
Miral will continue to develop and create leading destinations on Yas Island that offer unique, immersive and exciting experiences for everyone.”
The addition of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi expands Miral’s destination portfolio on Yas Island, which is set to double visitor numbers to 48 million by 2022. The growth plans are part of Abu Dhabi’s vision to establish the emirate as a global tourism hub with unique attractions and world-class tourism infrastructure.
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is set to open by 2022, and will complement Miral’s Yas Island destination portfolio of four themed parks, which includes Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, and opening in 2018 the recently announced Warner Bros.
World Abu Dhabi and Clymb. Yas Island also offers a wide range of sporting and entertainment experiences that include Yas Marina Circuit, seven hotels, year round calendar of events, a live performance and concert arena, an 18-hole championship golf course, a marina, a beach and
the increasingly popular shopping destination, Yas Mall.