A U.A.E. paper has said that His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai has repeatedly demonstrated that ambition has no limits and that the word "impossible" is not in his dictionary. The result is showing and Dubai is now recognised internationally as a city of "world firsts." "The launch of the first temperature-controlled city, Mall of the World, which will attract over 180 million visitors annually, has turned the global spotlight on Dubai again," said The Gulf Today in its editorial on Monday.
It calls for immense courage and stupendous enterprise to embark on such a mind-boggling project, but as Sheikh Mohammed once remarked, "The future does not wait for those who hesitate." Even visualising the concept could leave one amazed. Imagine the largest indoor theme park in the world where tourists will be able to enjoy a weeklong stay without the need to leave the city or use a car.
The 7-km long promenades connecting all facilities will be covered during the summer and open during the winter, ensuring pleasant temperatures throughout the year.
Occupying an area of 48 million sq. ft., the project will also house the largest shopping mall in the world with an area of 8 million sq. ft., which will take the form of an extended retail street network, different to the typical shopping mall concept currently available in Dubai.
"Once completed, the City is projected to become a year-round destination, welcoming around 180 million visitors annually," added the paper.
Interestingly, the new project, developed by Dubai Holding, will introduce a novel concept of an integrated pedestrian city connected to the mall and offering a wide range of leisure, retail, cultural, wellness, recreation and hospitality options under one roof.
No wonder, Dubai has remained a dream destination for tourists. Last year, Dubai won the bid to host Expo 2020, a six-month global exhibition that is expected to attract 25 million visitors. Expo-related infrastructure development and operations will cost around Dhs32.39 billion.
Under Dubai’s 2020 vision, the number of visitors to the emirate is projected to double from 10 million in 2012 to 20 million by 2020. In order to accommodate the visitors, the number of hotels in Dubai is expected to double.
The Sharjah-based daily concluded its editorial by quoting Sheikh Mohammed as saying, "Our vision is clear, infrastructure is ready and confidence in our human resources is high." That should serve as a perfect inspiration for everyone to work as one team to achieve the goal, with positive energy, strong determination and the belief that anything is possible.