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Khaleej Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Disneyland Abu Dhabi: Rents to increase; hotel rates to rise by up to 25%
Hotel rates in Abu Dhabi and other emirates are expected to rise by as much as 25% following the opening of Disneyland in the UAE capital, with rents and property prices also anticipated to experience significant growth. Industry executives say that Disneyland Abu Dhabi will especially have a strong impact on the leasing business and hotel rates as it will attract tourists and resident visitors throughout the year, having a ripple effect across the UAE. Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be the region's first-ever Disney theme park and the brand's seventh resort worldwide. The park will be located on Yas Island Waterfront, joining Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and further solidifying Yas Island's status as a global entertainment hub. Ayman Ashor, Cluster General Manager, Al Bandar Rotana and Arjaan by Rotana, said that with the anticipated surge in tourism, hotel rates in Abu Dhabi are expected to experience a notable increase once Disneyland becomes operational. 'Industry experts estimate that hotel rates may rise by approximately 15 per cent to 25 per cent, driven by the heightened demand for accommodations from both local and international visitors,' he said. Ripple effect Ashor noted that Disneyland Abu Dhabi will 'significantly increase footfall to the emirate' and 'visitors will extend their stay,' benefitting hospitality, retail, and entertainment sectors. Ashor added that tourists are likely to combine their visits to both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, thus enhancing the overall attractiveness of the UAE as a diverse holiday spot. Iftikhar Hamdani, area general manager of Bahi Ajman Palace and Coral Beach Resort Sharjah Northern Emirates, said 'Disney Effect' will have 'ripple effects extending far beyond Yas Island.' 'Based on current market trends and the 'Disney Effect' observed globally, we anticipate a 10–15 per cent increase in hotel rates across Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates, once the park becomes operational, particularly in the initial 3–5 years post-opening,' he told Khaleej Times. 'Disney's global appeal will amplify demand, attracting families from the GCC, South Asia, Europe, and beyond. Family tourism, which prioritises multi-day stays and premium accommodations, will drive up occupancy while encouraging hotels to optimise room mixes — such as suites and interconnected rooms — to cater to this demographic. This shift will elevate Average Daily Rates (ADR) as guests prioritise comfort and convenience over cost.' Abu Dhabi's Tourism Strategy 2030 aims to nearly double annual visitors to 39 million, with Disneyland serving as a cornerstone. The UAE's centralised location —within a four-hour flight from one-third of the world's population— positions it to capture regional travellers who previously bypassed the UAE for distant Disney destinations. 'This influx will create sustained demand, benefiting not only Yas Island's hotels but also properties in the Northern Emirates as tourists explore the broader UAE,' added Hamdani. 'We are preparing for this surge by enhancing family-centric amenities and aligning pricing strategies with projected demand,' he said. Impact on short-term rentals, property Nada Jaouhar, Abu Dhabi Branch Director at Betterhomes, expected that property prices, rents and short-term rentals for Airbnb will also see growth. 'We expect the prices to soar –on Yas Island, especially for leasing– once we are close to the handover of Disneyland. If anyone thought Yas Island has a lot of hotels and airbnbs, that is not the case anymore as Disneyland is an all-year-round event and we will need more airbnbs to cope with the influx of year-round tourists,' she added. 'Abu Dhabi's property market has been on an upward trajectory, and the announcement of Disneyland's arrival is expected to serve as a major accelerator,' said Betterhomes, a UAE-based property management and brokerage firm. In April, the emirate recorded a 15.7 per cent increase in transactions over March, reaching Dh2.9 billion in sales. Off-plan sales dominated, and represented over 70 per cent of the total, indicating significant investor interest in new and upcoming developments. This trend underscores growing investor appetite for new developments and future-forward communities. 'A game-changer' Hotspots such as Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, and Al Jubail Island have already been commanding premium prices, with villas on Al Jubail selling for up to Dh10 million and leases reaching Dh400,000 annually. 'Disneyland will be a game-changer for Abu Dhabi's property landscape. We predict increased property demand on Yas Island and nearby areas, with buyers seeking high-quality, future-oriented homes, given its closeness to a major future attraction," said Jaouhar. It is estimated that the Disneyland project in the UAE capital will take between five and eight years to complete. Rohit Bachani, co-founder of Merlin Real Estate, also expects 'a significant ripple effect on nearby freehold areas.' 'The most immediate beneficiaries will likely be Yas Island itself, Saadiyat Island, Al Reem Island, Al Raha Beach, and Al Shamkha — which are already gaining traction among investors and end-users alike. These locations combine proximity to the new attraction with lifestyle appeal, beach access, and master-planned infrastructure,' said Bachani. He added that this new project will 'catalyse long-term capital appreciation across these strategic zones. Smart investors would do well to start positioning early.'
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
RWS GLOBAL ANNOUNCES PLANS TO OPEN MIDDLE EAST HEADQUARTERS
World's Top Producer of Live Entertainment, Destination Design and SportPresentation, including the Saudi Games and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, ExpandsOperations in High-Growth Market NEW YORK, May 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- RWS Global, the world's leader in live moments across entertainment and sports, today announced its plans to open a headquarters in Riyadh, expanding the company's significant footprint in the Middle East. This expansion shows RWS Global's commitment to the region's continued investment in innovation across entertainment, tourism, leisure travel and sport. The RWS Global team has already forged partnerships with leading businesses in the region, currently working on some of the largest projects under development. RWS Global, known for its work in sport presentation, destination design, world building and curating world-class entertainment experiences on land and at sea, has significant experience in the Middle East. Since 2022, the company has annually served as the successful producers of the Saudi Games, the largest national sporting event ever held in the Kingdom. The company provided technology-driven fan engagement programs to the competition across 52 categories. In addition, the RWS Global team delivered full sport presentation across 16 various martial arts and combat sports for the World Combat Games in Riyadh in 2023, hosting 1,500 elite athletes from over 120 countries and providing fan engagement for over 4,000 fans. RWS Global's extensive work in the region has also included the design of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, experiences for Warner Bros. World and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, sport presentation for SuperTri, the first sport event held in NEOM and the development of several other world-class entertainment venues. This milestone further solidifies the company's position as a global leader in fan engagement, immersive entertainment and experience design. "After a decade of building incredible experiences in the Middle East, we are thrilled to expand the presence of RWS Global by opening a headquarters in the region," said Ryan Stana, Chairman & CEO, RWS Global. "As we develop our partnerships with some of the most exciting global companies operating in the Middle East, having a permanent presence in the market is paramount to our continued growth and allows us to be more available for our clients as we create magical experiences tailored to a wide range of visitors." To support the expansion, RWS Global is hiring a VP, Business & Client Strategy, along with several additional team members local to the market, building on the strong foundation of its existing teams delivering destination design and live experience projects across the GCC states. Interested applicants can submit a cover letter and resume to hr@ RWS Global is exhibiting on the show floor at the Saudi Amusement Expo this week (Booth #4A 491). For more information, visit the booth or ABOUT RWS GLOBAL RWS Global is the world leader in groundbreaking live moments across entertainment and sports, creating customized guest experiences spanning theatrical productions, live events, immersive destinations, multimedia, consumer products and more. RWS Global is headquartered in New York, London, Cincinnati, Shanghai, Orlando and Sydney with dedicated RWS Studios in NYC and the UK to serve its vast talent pipeline and client base. With a focus on entertainment and sports experiences, RWS Global serves major brands and corporations, theaters, cruise lines, sports properties, live venues, parks, resorts and more. Offering end-to-end services from ideation to operations, RWS Global's team of world-class designers, creators, producers and visionary talent provide unrivaled scale, producing over one million live moments every day and employing over 8,000 individuals and performers worldwide. The RWS Global roster of clients includes Apple, Azamara, The Coca-Cola Company, Commonwealth Games, Crayola, Europa-Park Resort, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, The FRIENDS™ Experience by Original X Productions, Hard Rock Resorts, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, Holland America Line, Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, International Cricket Council, Invictus Games, Lionsgate, MSC Cruises, Roompot, Rugby World Cup, Six Flags, Space Center Houston, TUI Group, Vera Wang, Warner Bros., Disney's The Lion King on Broadway, Chicago the Musical, Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes and more. For more information, visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE RWS Global
Time Out Abu Dhabi
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi's new ride will break four world records
Buckle up, thrill-seekers – Abu Dhabi's iconic Ferrari World is about to unleash a record-breaking roller coaster that promises to shake up the global theme park scene. According to developer Miral (the company behind the island's mega attractions, including the upcoming Disney Abu Dhabi), this jaw-dropping new ride will set four world records. Yes, four. Roller coaster fans, this one's for you. Mohamed Al Zaabi, group chief executive of Miral, said to reporters during the recent Arabian Travel Market that the new 'significant and signature ride in Ferrari World will have four records worldwide and roller coaster fans will be very excited to hear that news soon'. But that's just the beginning of the Yas Island glow-up. Over at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, two brand-new signature rides are being added to the roster and phase two of Yas Waterworld's big expansion is making waves with 12 new rides dropping this summer. If your summer plans weren't sorted yet, they are now. Looking even further into the future, a Disney theme park was just announced. As well as being the most advanced version yet, it's also expected to boost house prices in the area and create thousands of jobs. Talk about a glow-up. Theme park visits alone surged 20 percent last year, helping drive Yas Island to a whopping 38 million visits. Hotels are also smashing it – occupancy hit 82 percent, with guests staying longer and shelling out more. The average hotel rate jumped 17 percent and Miral is now planning to add 30 percent more hotel rooms over the next five years to keep up with demand. Culture lovers, you're in luck too. Over on Saadiyat Island, The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi is on track to wrap up construction by the end of the year and teamLab Phenomena has already been pulling in crowds. Still to come? The hotly anticipated Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. Oh and for Potterheads: work on the magical Harry Potter attraction inside Warner Bros. World is underway – so hold on to your broomsticks. This all feeds into Abu Dhabi's ambitious Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to pull in nearly 40 million visitors a year, create 178,000 new jobs and contribute Dhs90 billion to the local economy. With 1.4 million overnight guests already clocked in Q1 2025 alone and hotel revenues surging to Dhs2.3 billion, the capital is cruising toward its goals. From blockbuster rides and cultural icons to next-level hotel stays, Yas Island is fast becoming a destination where you can do it all – and then some. More in Abu Dhabi… Everything happening in Abu Dhabi in 2025 From new openings to big events, this is shaping up to be quite a year It's official: Abu Dhabi Comedy Season is returning for a second edition with some huge names Wow, look at this line-up The 2025 concert line-up in Abu Dhabi just keeps getting better and better So many big names coming to the capital
Gulf Insider
12-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Disneyland Abu Dhabi: Rents to Increase
Hotel rates in Abu Dhabi and other emirates are expected to rise by as much as 25% following the opening of Disneyland in the UAE capital, with rents and property prices also anticipated to experience significant growth. Industry executives say that Disneyland Abu Dhabi will especially have a strong impact on the leasing business and hotel rates as it will attract tourists and resident visitors throughout the year, having a ripple effect across the UAE. Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be the region's first-ever Disney theme park and the brand's seventh resort worldwide. The park will be located on Yas Island Waterfront, joining Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and further solidifying Yas Island's status as a global entertainment hub. Ayman Ashor, Cluster General Manager, Al Bandar Rotana and Arjaan by Rotana, said that with the anticipated surge in tourism, hotel rates in Abu Dhabi are expected to experience a notable increase once Disneyland becomes operational. 'Industry experts estimate that hotel rates may rise by approximately 15 per cent to 25 per cent, driven by the heightened demand for accommodations from both local and international visitors,' he said. Ashor noted that Disneyland Abu Dhabi will 'significantly increase footfall to the emirate' and 'visitors will extend their stay,' benefitting hospitality, retail, and entertainment sectors. Ashor added that tourists are likely to combine their visits to both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, thus enhancing the overall attractiveness of the UAE as a diverse holiday spot. Iftikhar Hamdani, area general manager of Bahi Ajman Palace and Coral Beach Resort Sharjah Northern Emirates, said 'Disney Effect' will have 'ripple effects extending far beyond Yas Island.' 'Based on current market trends and the 'Disney Effect' observed globally, we anticipate a 10–15 per cent increase in hotel rates across Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates, once the park becomes operational, particularly in the initial 3–5 years post-opening,' he told Khaleej Times . 'Disney's global appeal will amplify demand, attracting families from the GCC, South Asia, Europe, and beyond. Family tourism, which prioritises multi-day stays and premium accommodations, will drive up occupancy while encouraging hotels to optimise room mixes — such as suites and interconnected rooms — to cater to this demographic. This shift will elevate Average Daily Rates (ADR) as guests prioritise comfort and convenience over cost.' Abu Dhabi's Tourism Strategy 2030 aims to nearly double annual visitors to 39 million, with Disneyland serving as a cornerstone. The UAE's centralised location —within a four-hour flight from one-third of the world's population— positions it to capture regional travellers who previously bypassed the UAE for distant Disney destinations. 'This influx will create sustained demand, benefiting not only Yas Island's hotels but also properties in the Northern Emirates as tourists explore the broader UAE,' added Hamdani. 'We are preparing for this surge by enhancing family-centric amenities and aligning pricing strategies with projected demand,' he said. Nada Jaouhar, Abu Dhabi Branch Director at Betterhomes, expected that property prices, rents and short-term rentals for Airbnb will also see growth. 'We expect the prices to soar –on Yas Island, especially for leasing– once we are close to the handover of Disneyland. If anyone thought Yas Island has a lot of hotels and airbnbs, that is not the case anymore as Disneyland is an all-year-round event and we will need more airbnbs to cope with the influx of year-round tourists,' she added. 'Abu Dhabi's property market has been on an upward trajectory, and the announcement of Disneyland's arrival is expected to serve as a major accelerator,' said Betterhomes, a UAE-based property management and brokerage firm. In April, the emirate recorded a 15.7 per cent increase in transactions over March, reaching Dh2.9 billion in sales. Off-plan sales dominated, and represented over 70 per cent of the total, indicating significant investor interest in new and upcoming developments. This trend underscores growing investor appetite for new developments and future-forward communities. Hotspots such as Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, and Al Jubail Island have already been commanding premium prices, with villas on Al Jubail selling for up to Dh10 million and leases reaching Dh400,000 annually. 'Disneyland will be a game-changer for Abu Dhabi's property landscape. We predict increased property demand on Yas Island and nearby areas, with buyers seeking high-quality, future-oriented homes, given its closeness to a major future attraction,' said Jaouhar. It is estimated that the Disneyland project in the UAE capital will take between five and eight years to complete. Rohit Bachani, co-founder of Merlin Real Estate, also expects 'a significant ripple effect on nearby freehold areas.' 'The most immediate beneficiaries will likely be Yas Island itself, Saadiyat Island, Al Reem Island, Al Raha Beach, and Al Shamkha — which are already gaining traction among investors and end-users alike. These locations combine proximity to the new attraction with lifestyle appeal, beach access, and master-planned infrastructure,' said Bachani. He added that this new project will 'catalyse long-term capital appreciation across these strategic zones. Smart investors would do well to start positioning early.' Also read: No Phones, Smartwatches: Abu Dhabi Schools Clamp Down on Mobile Use
CairoScene
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
A Disney Theme Park & Resort Is Coming to Abu Dhabi
The first of its kind in the Middle East, the new Disney theme park and resort will join Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, and SeaWorld on Yas Island. Yup, it's official—Disney is setting up camp in Abu Dhabi. The Walt Disney Company is teaming up with Miral, the developers behind Yas Island's blockbuster attractions, to bring a brand-new Disney theme park and resort to the UAE capital. Set along the sparkling shoreline of Yas Island—already home to Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, and SeaWorld—the upcoming Disney resort will mark the brand's first-ever theme park in the Middle East and its seventh destination worldwide. Think of it as the magical missing puzzle piece in one of the world's most entertainment-packed islands. So, what's coming? While exact details are still under wraps (we're crossing our fingers for Aladdin's Agrabah in real life), the resort is expected to include classic Disney-style rides, immersive lands, themed hotels, and experiences where you might just run into Elsa, Buzz Lightyear, or even Moana by the water's edge. And yes—Mickey and Minnie are on the guest list. Imagineers (Disney's legendary creative wizards) will be working hand in hand with Miral to bring the dream to life, blending beloved Disney storytelling with Abu Dhabi's futuristic skyline and deep cultural heritage. No opening date has been confirmed yet, but one thing's for sure: Disney in Abu Dhabi is no longer a fantasy.
