Abu Dhabi Plans More Marinas to Boost Leisure Tourism

ABU DHABI — With the emergence of modern marinas in Abu Dhabi, local as well as overseas yacht makers are bullish over the sales growth potential in the country that remained largely unaffected by the economic slowdown, industry officials say.

By Staff Report

Published: Fri 26 Feb 2010, 11:25 PM

Last updated: Mon 6 Apr 2015, 10:21 AM

Abu Dhabi has elaborate plans to build 35-40 marinas by year 2030, says Paul lane general manager of Aldar Marinas, part of Aldar Properties, Abu Dhabi’s largest property developer, speaking on the sidelines of the Second Abu Dhabi Yacht Show.

The huge Yas Marina, which is integral part of Yas Marina Circuit that also includes a 499-room five star Hotel, will lay the foundation of a new business in the emirate, says Lane, whose company will built, own and manage many more such luxury marina facilities across the emirate in coming years.

Already two marinas, he said were under construction, one on the same Island toward south called Southern Marina while the other one on nearby Al Bandar Island.

The potential for yachting is huge in the UAE, as the per capita ownership is as low as 1 yacht for every 700 people, compared with 1 boat for three persons in Sweden, said Hamad Kassab Bachi, the managing director of Emocean Marine, a one year old yacht manufacturing company in the capital.

Bachi believed that Yas Marina and other such facilities being built around the capital has created great interest among young UAE nationals as well as residents to think that they can own a yacht and enjoy a leisure time with their family.

A locally manufactured small Yacht has a price tag ranging from Dh250,000 to Dh750,000, he said.

The banks and financial institutions in the country are offering financing opportunities at around six per cent that makes things even easier for them to realize their dreams, the managing director said.

Bachi said that he launched a yacht manufacturing facility in Industrial City of Abu Dhabi last year to produce 120 yachts of sizes 8-metre long boats. Now, he said he will move into a bigger facility this year-end to multiply its production to 400 boats per annum, this shows the market potential. 

haseeb@khaleejtimes.com