Dubai’s desert oasis continues to grow.
Designs for the Marsa Al Arab luxury resort in Dubai were recently unveiled—they’re chock full of classic Emirati splendor. Reuters reports the $1.7 billion project will create two man-made islands sprawling over 4 million square feet around either side of the Burj Al Arab, the city’s famed sail-shaped hotel.
Half of Marsa Al Arab will be dedicated to tourism and entertainment, boasting an aquarium, a water park, and a 1,700-seat theater built to host Cirque Du Soleil shows. Meanwhile, the other artificial island will home to 140 luxury villas and a private marina.
The project is scheduled to be completed by 2020 just in time for Dubai to host the World Expo 2020 exhibition.
In advance of the Expo, the United Arab Emirates has a goal of attracting 20 million tourists a year. Dubai is already one of the most visited city’s in the world.
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