Press Release

Aldar showcases Yas Island at GIBTM

Aldar, Abu Dhabi's leading property development, management and investment company, is showcasing its Yas Island attractions at the Gulf Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM), which opens today at Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre.

Yas Island, surrounded by the azure waters of the Arabian Gulf, is the venue for the Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which takes place this year on 12-14th November. Ahead of the inaugural race last November, Aldar was responsible for the delivery of the Yas Marina Circuit, 7 brand new hotels, Yas Marina and all the infrastructure and race-related facilities and a number of new entertainment destinations will open to the public in 2010.

The Luxury Yas Hotel is the flagship asset for Aldar Hotels & Hospitality, a new hospitality management and asset management division that aims to become a significant force in the region. The first hotel to span a race track, The Yas Hotel is a luxury hotel and has an extraordinary 5,000 LED panel grid shell that drapes the structure in a vibrant shroud of lights and colours.

Yas Marina, which hosted over 100 yachts across the race weekend, will see the completion of the Yas Yacht Club and retail centre in the coming months and has already established its place as a major new yachting destination in the region.

Yas Links Golf Course, the first true links in the region is set to open in a matter of weeks, further strengthening Abu Dhabi's position as a major golf tourism destination.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi will become the world's largest indoor theme park and the first ever Ferrari theme park in the world when it opens in the second half of this year. The park will host over 20 state-of-the-art attractions, each designed to bring to life a different part of the Ferrari story. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi will also provide the backdrop to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) when it comes to Abu Dhabi on 10th April.

Beyond that, a major retail complex, additional leisure parks and residential developments have also been planned for Yas Island.

Paul Bell, Managing Director of Aldar Hotels & Hospitality, commented:
"Aldar is very proud to take part in GIBTM, which provides a fantastic opportunity to bring the industry up to date on our efforts to establish Abu Dhabi as a sought after tourist destination and a global business hub in line with 2030 plan spearheaded by the government."