Abu Dhabi seeks investors for entertainment venue

Abu Dhabi is seeking private investors for a major new family entertainment venue planned for Khalifa Park in the UAE capital.

Abu Dhabi City Municipality said it will be issuing a tender inviting private sector investors to finance, develop and operate under a lease arrangement a "world class events and family entertainment venue".

The events venue will cover over 200,000 sq m of Khalifa Park with plans to start operating in October through to March 2015.

A statement cited by news agency WAM said the venue will attract an estimated 1.5-2 million people over the six month period.

The statement added: "Abu Dhabi is experiencing a healthy growth in tourism and has already delivered a number of landmark entertainment projects. Entertainment activities of this nature will represent exceptional value for money providing an opportunity to grow what shall start as an entertainment event, into a permanent and sustainable family destination."

At 80 acres in size, equivalent of twice the size of Universal Studios, Florida, Abu Dhabi officials said Khalifa Park provides an "ideal location" for the venue.

The venue will feature a number of attractions catered towards family' entertainment including large-scale fun rides, a full calendar of shows, retail pavilions and food and beverage outlets.

Another key attraction will be the Circus, which will offer the best in shows, displays and spectacular acts brought from various countries worldwide.

The statement said: "This initiative demonstrates the Municipality's continued efforts to deliver high quality projects that further boost city image and added amenities of Abu Dhabi.

"Private sector investors are able to play an active role in developing exciting features and landmarks by bringing expertise and international standards to an initiative that offers sustainable returns on investment."