New $200m ‘Santa Monica-style entertainment centre’ announced in RAK’s Al Marjan

The project has been announced by UAE-based Indian developer Ivan Richard Menezes

Ras Al Khaimah’s Al Marjan Island is set to host a new $200m project with a 300-room hotel and a discovery, fitness and history-themed entertainment park.

The ‘Santa Monica-style entertainment centre’ was announced by UAE-based Indian investor Ivan Richard Menezes, director of United Ventures and Investments Limited, on Wednesday.

Menezes has purchased land on the fourth island of Al Marjan Island to create the project, according to a company statement.

No further details were revealed about the development.

“With our development, we are bringing the region’s largest of its kind attraction in the Middle East offering an experience that will have several innovative feel-good, discovery, fitness, historical and thrill-based offerings that appeal to all from UAE and the world,” he said.

“Al Marjan Island and Ras Al Khaimah offer a unique experience and great potential for investment in tourism and leisure.”

Ras Al Khaimah’s first man-made project, Al Marjan Island is a cluster of four coral-shaped islands that currently has over 1,600 operational five-star hotel keys, including Rixos Hotels, Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Accor Hotels brands, and more than 2,000 residential units including Bab Al Bahar residential and Pacific by Select Group.

Dubai developer Emaar is also developing 2 million sq ft of mixed-use projects on the island including high-end residential, hospitality and retail components.

Abdullah Al Abdooli, managing director and CEO of Marjan, said the company was focussing on bringing in inward investment to develop freehold property with a focus on mixed-use projects.

“At Al Marjan Island, we offer developers a plug-and-play model of purchasing land with development. The mixed-use project will further drive tourism and also catalyse the economy as a leisure attraction for families, sports lovers, and fitness enthusiasts. We are committed to further strengthening the amenities offered in Ras Al Khaimah.”

Master-developer Marjan was launched as an independent entity in Ras Al Khaimah earlier this week to manage freehold property in the emirate.

The company is responsible for leading the development of freehold projects in the emirate.

Ras Al Khaimah has recently been boosting its tourism investment in order to attract more visitors.

In February, it broke the record for the world’s longest zip line with a new attraction on top of Jebel Jais mountain.

Several other adventure tourism have attractions have also been opened over the last 18 months.

The emirate’s tourism authority is aiming to welcome one million visitors a year by the end of 2018 and 2.9 million annually by 2025.