What brands come to mind when you think “luxury”? Rolls Royce, Rolex, Chanel? “Dubai” is going to be the next one, as the modern emirate’s premier luxury hoteliers gear up to expand their properties across the region and then the world.
30.11.2023 - 18:27 / skift.com / Wynn Al-Marjan / Ras Al-Khaimah / Bill Hornbuckle / Josh Corder / Jim Murren
The construction firm behind the MGM Cotai casino resort in Macau has been awarded the contract to build “The Island” in Dubai. First reported by MEED, the $1.2 billion contract is the most valuable construction deal in Dubai in the past six years.
The Island is an offshore project close to the famous Burj Al Arab hotel. Its plan calls for an MGM hotel, an Aria hotel and a Bellagio, together adding 1,400 hotel rooms.
Wasl, a local developer, awarded the contract to Beijing’s China State Construction Engineering Corporation. It’s an indication the MGM Dubai will go ahead after being announced – and seemingly in limbo – since 2017.
In 2013, MGM and China State entered an agreement where the Chinese firm would be the one “collaborating” on all MGM’s non-US hotels. This included the MGM Cotai in Macau, which cost around $3.4 billion to build.
The Island originally planned its own “Dubai Sphere,” described as a 110-metre-high entertainment tower located in the center of the complex, offering 3D light and sound effects shows for up to 300 guests at a time.
Like the Cotai resort, the Dubai MGM has seen various delays. It was initially planned to open in 2021 and was only ever mentioned by MGM execs briefly in earning calls. With the announcement of the Wynn integrated resort in nearby Ras Al Khaimah however, MGM CEO Bill Hornbuckle has been more vocal about his plans in Dubai.
One of those plans is a casino.
“I’d love to be in Dubai with an operating product with a casino in it, but one step and one day at a time. We’re very progressive and excited by what could happen there,” said Hornbuckle at a conference in Vegas last month.
He also said: “We think there will be three or four [casinos] in the Emirates. It’s up to each ruler to decide what they want to do and where they want to do it.”
At a federal level, the UAE established in September the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority, known as the GCGRA, which will regulate and establish “strict guidelines” for the country’s commercial gaming industry. This new GCGRA is chaired by Jim Murren.
Murren is the former chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts, a role he held from 2008 to 2020. He was also chairman of the American Gaming Association from 2014 to 2017.
Wynn execs, on the other hand, believe they will have a monopoly on UAE gaming for several years.
“It will likely be us and us alone for a multiyear period,” said the group’s CEO Craig Billings in an earnings call. “After that, it may be a duopoly or an oligopoly of three.”
The Wynn Al Marjan Island is expected to open in Ras Al Khaimah – an emirate with a population of around 450,000 – in 2027. It is projected to cost upwards of $3.9 billion to build – more than three times the value of this new
What brands come to mind when you think “luxury”? Rolls Royce, Rolex, Chanel? “Dubai” is going to be the next one, as the modern emirate’s premier luxury hoteliers gear up to expand their properties across the region and then the world.
The upcoming Gulf Cooperation Council unified visa, which would ease crossing borders like in the Schengen Zone, is forecast to supercharge inter-regional travel in the Gulf states, according to Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism boss.
When choosing a hotel for your December vacation, “sterile” and “corporate” simply won’t do. Winter is upon us. Christmastime is here. The holiday spirit should ooze through every check-in kiosk, ice machine and fitness center―the more, the merrier.
Consider Gold List the answer to the question our editors get asked more than any other: What are your favorite places to stay? Our 30th annual iteration of the world’s greatest hotels and cruises captures nearly a year’s worth of work: This collection of 75 resorts and hotels represents hundreds of hours of researching, scouting, and impassioned debating by our team of editors in seven cities across the globe. But more than that, it reflects our ongoing love affair with the places where we stay, which often become our gateways to entire destinations. Read on to inspire your next trip.
My Second Home, the world’s largest indoor dog park and Dubai’s first and largest luxury pet resort, is serving up a pawsome family feast this festive season, with Christmas dinner for humans – and a special, free festive meal for their dogs. My Second Home has teamed up with Harness Foods to offer a full traditional Christmas dinner – with a choice of meat, vegetarian and vegan options – and a special festive menu just for their pets. Priced at AED195 per person, with free delivery in Dubai, My Second Home’s festive feast includes a choice of roast turkey, lamb or beef, salmon en croute, vegetarian wellington, and vegan lentil seed loaf.
The $1,500-a-night Vakkaru Maldives resort in the Baa Atoll will launch a sister resort in the UAE’s relatively quiet emirate of Fujairah. The project is called Naama Beach Villas and Spa, vying to become the most luxurious property in the emirate.
According to new research commissioned by Arabian Travel Market (ATM), and conducted at the end of September 2022 by hotel market intelligence and global benchmarking company STR, the GCC region now has over 170,000 hotel rooms under active development (planning, final planning & under construction).
dnata Travel experts continuously monitor trends and work with long-standing international partners to offer exclusive rates and added extras for the local market, alongside the latest in travel inspiration.
UAE welcomes a modern beach sanctuary for the senses from Asia’s luxury hospitality leader.
The total value of 12 projects launched until November 2023 by Samana stands at Dh3.7 billion (USD1 Billion) with 3,359 units in total. Barari Views is the company’s first project which will be equipped with the latest smart-home technology and private pools in all 669 units.
Tonight marks a momentous occasion for the global travel industry as the Grand Final of the World Travel Awards (WTA) unfolds in the vibrant city of Dubai. After months of excitement and anticipation, industry leaders, professionals, and enthusiasts from around the world are gearing up for an unforgettable night that will unveil the crème de la crème of the travel and hospitality sector.
With the Macau Grand Prix celebrating its 70th anniversary with an extended two-weekend schedule, Sands China Ltd. supported the world-famous competition with a special Grand Prix community outing; a series of Grand Prix themed activities, installations and workshops at The Venetian® Macao and at the historic Iec Long Firecracker Factory, which Sands China is revitalising; and concerts on each of the two Grand Prix weekends to promote the integrated development of sports, culture and tourism.