The Pearl-Qatar, the $2.5 billion man-made island being reclaimed offshore the state capital, Doha, will make its tourism expo debut at ATM 2005.
The Riviera-style man-made island, covering 985 acres of reclaimed land, will create more than 30km of new coastline and includes a host of leisure and tourism facilities in its mixed-use masterplan.
“The Pearl-Qatar will be an iconic destination in its own right. A postcard asset, not just for Qatar but the entire region,” said Nick Bashkiroff, development director, The Pearl-Qatar. “From freehold island retreats to five-star hotels, luxury shopping and a 700-berth international yachting hub, the island – branded as the Riviera Arabia – will significantly lift the bar for the region’s rapidly strengthening tourism base. The Pearl-Qatar will also greatly enhance Qatar’s tourism ambitions which are targeted to receive more than one million business and leisure travelers each year by 2010.”
The four-phase development comprises ten distinct districts to be developed over five years, with the first investors expected to take up residency in early 2007. The ‘Riviera Arabia’ – themed districts will house three luxury hotels, three marinas – with combined mooring for over 700 boats and 60,000 sq m of luxury retail and restaurant space.