Destination Dubai – Fun in the sum for all the family

Already a leading premium family destination, Dubai always strives to provide the most incredible experience for parents and children alike. Whatever your preference, whether its culture, action or adventure - the emirate really does have something for everyone.

Combined with guaranteed weather all year round, beautiful beaches, world-class hotels and the emirate’s safe environment, Dubai is rapidly becoming the world’s leading family destination through development of even more family focussed attractions and properties.

Ian Scott, UK and Ireland director of the Government of Dubai, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) commented: “Dubai always looks to go beyond people’s wildest dreams and will soon play host to some of the world’s most exciting family-oriented projects and developments as the destination aims to become the world’s leading family destination for the UK and Irish markets by the year 2012 The emirate will witness a raft of exciting initiatives over the next few years, offering an impressive portfolio of world-class facilities for families. And, nowhere is this more evident than at Dubailand, the world’s most ambitious leisure, tourism and entertainment destination to date”.

With a total of 45 mega projects spanning over three billion square feet and over twice the size of Walt Disney Florida, Dubailand will offer the ultimate theme park experience across culture, science, sports, well-being, retail and family resorts. The park already boasts one of the most spectacular open air stage shows in the world, Jumana, which celebrates Arabia’s rich history and culture.

Theme parks are the pride of Dubai and excitement is intense surrounding the completion of Six Flags Dubailand in a few years time. A product of extraordinary vision, this immense five million square feet leisure destination will be the first of its kind outside the US and will cater for the entire family with diverse projects ranging from adventure rides and attractions, water parks and eco-tourism projects, to shopping malls and sports facilities.

State-of-the-art technology and unparalleled visitor experiences at Dubailand will create a new international standard for leisure attractions. Film buffs will love Universal Studios’ Universal City, scheduled to open in 2010. Encompassing 149-acres of Dubailand, it will showcase technologically advanced “ride-the-movies” motion pictures and TV show-based attractions for all the family.

And more amazing attractions are on the horizon with Marvel Entertainment’s plan to create a £500 million theme park in Dubai due to open in 2011. The feature rides will be based on family favourites such as Marvel's Spider-Man, X-Men and the Incredible Hulk superheroes. A deal has also been signed with Nickelodeon to bring its characters SpongeBob Square Pants and Dora the Explorer to the park.

Budding builders will be thrilled by the imminent arrival of LEGOLAND Dubailand, scheduled to open at the end of 2011. This three million square feet park will offer families LEGO experiences with its mix of kid-powered rides, building challenges, spectacular LEGO models, interactive attractions, family-friendly coasters, and shows that pull the audience into the action.

The heady heights of Hollywood will come to Dubai with the world's first DreamWorks Animation branded theme park scheduled to open in 2012. The project will feature rides incorporating characters from the studio's animated blockbusters such as Shrek and Kung Fu Panda.

Film studio Paramount Pictures is also establishing itself in the emirate to turn films such as Mission: Impossible, Top Gun, Titanic and The Godfather into a series of Dubai-based parks and rides. The family orientated development is expected to open in 2011.

Dubai’s brilliant sunshine is complemented by a host of outdoor activities of which water parks are just one of the specialities. The Aquaventure park at Atlantis The Palm has 17 hectares of water based attractions the pinnacle of which is the 30 metre high Ziggurat with seven slides and the ‘Leap of Faith’ – a near vertical 90ft drop into ‘Shark Tank’. The park also includes over two kilometres of non stop river action with cascades, tidal waves and rapids as well as a private beach with water-sports.

Over on The Palm Jebel Ali, the Busch Entertainment Corporation is developing Worlds of Discovery in partnership with developer Nakheel. The island development will resemble a giant killer whale when the project is completed in 2012 and will sit at “the crown” of the palm tree shaped island. The project will include SeaWorld, Aquatica, Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove.

From ski slopes to sand dunes families needn’t miss out on their skiing holiday as Dubai has the world’s first indoor ski slope in the desert – Ski Dubai. An amazing 22,500 square metres covered with real snow all year round - it is the world’s third largest indoor ski slope.

Dubai’s natural desert landscape also makes for a perfect playground with safaris being one of Dubai’s most popular activities for families. And there’s plenty of fun to be had particularly while wadi-bashing - exploring the wadis (or dry river beds). Not to mention sandskiing or boarding down the dunes – and you can even sleep under the stars for an overnight stay in one of the Bedouin-style camps.

The scope of activities and new developments is truly awe-inspiring and continues to entice a growing number of international visitors on family holidays. Dubai enjoys a warm and sunny climate throughout the year, and it’s only a seven hour direct flight from the UK, close enough to avoid jet lag – perfect for families with kids. And with 20 direct flights daily from the UK to Dubai, a luxury holiday catering to all the family’s needs is now only a short flight away.

For further information about Dubai, log on to Dubaitourism.ae.