$64bn Dubailand gets big, bigger, biggest

Dubai wants 15 million tourists a year by 2015 and Dubailand will play a central role in hitting this figure. Phase One of the $64bn theme park and real estate project is scheduled to open in 2010, and last week members of the Dubai Property Group gathered for an update on progress.

The center will be the first phase of Universal Studios, but it also includes Ernie Els Golf Course, the Global Village, Dubai outlets cities, plantations peace, "Al-Sahara Desert Resort and Formula One Theme Park.

"Currently, the average visitor spends 2.5 days in Dubai in the city and spends $ 40-80 per day," said Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Al Habai. "By 2015 we predict they will remain four to seven days, and spend $ 240 per person per day."

It looks like an ambitious goal. But from the point of view of 15 million visitors this extrapolation 8% growth in the future, which may in fact be conservative. In 2007, Dubai welcomed 7.7 million visitors.

"The main obstacle to growth in visitor currently a shortage of hotel rooms to a total of 42000, 'said Al Habai." We will add 60000 hotel rooms in Bawadi district, which is a 10 km section of 51 hotels, four times more than Las Vegas. "