A Rs.250 million amusement park promoted by the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) as an Onam gift to Kerala has been delayed and will now open only in February.
The project, billed as a first in the cooperative sector, is coming up near the Parassinikadavu temple on the outskirts of this city.
Being built in the traditional north Kerala style, the park will have an artificial lake spread over two acres of land that would help in rainwater harvesting. It will also double up as an educational park with a museum and an art gallery.
"The delay occurred because heavy monsoon rains resulted in work being disrupted for two months," said Kannur CPI-M secretary M.V. Govindan, who was the secretary of Malabar Tourism Cooperative Society when the decision was taken to build the amusement park.
Govindan stepped down from the post after becoming the district secretary of CPI-M this year but continues to be the society's de-facto chief, overseeing work on the park.
The society has 500 members, all of whom believed to be hardcore CPI-M supporters.
"We have no problem of funds because we have raised these from various banks. We have now decided to enlist new members. By the time we are ready to open, we would have a membership of more than 10,000 people, each of whom will have paid a fee of Rs.500," said Govindan.
Govindan denied the delay was caused by a controversy that erupted after locals opposed the razing of some hillocks, saying this would cause environmental problems.
"We are happy to have got a lot of free publicity on account of the baseless allegations levelled by vested interests. It has come as a blessing in disguise since we got lot of enquires (for membership) because of this," Govindan said.
He said the society had now embarked on a membership drive by offering a package to all those who become members.
"We are planning to make the package attractive by offering free admission to the park, maybe once a year, for the families of members," said Govindan.
The park would add to the increasing asset base of the CPI-M, which already has considerable stakes in the Kairali TV channel and also owns a few hospitals, a study centre and a number of buildings across the state.
Source : IANS
DUBAI — The Dh14 billion integrated theme park project, Legends in Dubailand, yesterday announced the opening of a new on-site headquarters and commencement of the earthwork for Legends of Arabia, the first of the three theme parks within the development.
The Legends headquarters was officially inaugurated by Mohammed Al Gergawi, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Holding, promoters of the Dubailand, on Sunday.
Unveiling details of the development plan for Legends, senior officials of Dubailand, Gulf Finance House B.S.C. (GFH), the Bahrain-based Islamic investment bank behind the project and the project's holding company, Legends Development Company (LDC), termed the opening of the new headquarters as a step in developing the mixed-use integrated project which is conceived as one of the largest destinations for leisure and entertainment tourism in the Middle East.
Salem bin Dasmal, Chief Executive Officer of Dubailand, said: "The opening of the Legends headquarters marks the first step in translating the concept of the integrated theme park into reality."
Recently, the Saudi Arabia-based business entity, Tanmiyat Group had announced acquiring the residential and commercial components of the Legends at an investment of $2 billion (Dh7.35 billion). Tanmiyat is also part of the Legends platform through a 40 per cent subscription of a $302 million (Dh1.1 billion) private placement floated to fund the first phase of the project.
Aqua Dunya, comprising one of the largest and most diverse theme park resort sin the Middle East and a residential community of 3,400 apartments, will rise from the middle of the UAE desert by early 2008 owner/developer Al Sharq Development announced today.
The world’s largest cruise ship, The Desert Pearl, inspired by an Arabian sea faring tale, serves as the centerpiece of the theme park resort, and beckons travelers from near and far to join its imaginary voyage to exotic far off lands. Anchored at its own Dubailand oasis, the ship contains a climate-controlled indoor element of the theme park and an authentic 330-stateroom luxury hotel.
At opening, the 8 million sq ft. resort and residential community, located in the heart of Dubailand, will include the Aqua Dunya theme park, the Desert Pearl Hotel, a traditional Souk and Port district, a conference centre, 170 vacation apartments, and 3,400 residential apartments offered for sale. The Aqua Dunya theme park will open with more then 36 wet and dry rides and attractions, and three exotic adventure islands, offering a one-of-a-kind family entertainment experience for residents and international visitors.
A Memo of Understanding has been signed with Jumeirah, the Dubai-based luxury hospitality group, to operate the Aqua Dunya theme park, the flagship hotel, the souk and port, and the vacation apartments. Jumeirah has vast experience in managing 5 star luxury hotels and resorts, both in the UAE and internationally and also owns and manages the successful Wild Wadi Water Park in Dubai.
Future development will include a second theme park, two more themed resort hotels, a golf course, and expansions to the Aqua Dunya theme park, Port district and vacation apartments.
With 1.3 million theme park visitors expected in its first year, and 3 million annually at full build-out, Aqua Dunya is expected to raise the international bar for the theme park experience, officials from Al Sharq Development said at a press conference yesterday.
“Aqua Dunya brings something for everyone – world-class family theme parks and resorts, vacation apartments for visitors to use as a base to explore all of Dubailand and Dubai, and unique residences in a prime developing region of the new Dubai.” Said Ali Sulaiman Al Shehri, Chairman of Al Sharq Development.
The AED 7 billion Aqua Dunya development marks the first UAE mega-project for Al Sharq Development, a UAE subsidiary of the Saudi-based Al Sharq group of companies. Al Sharq Development is tasked with the development of Aqua Dunya and several other high profile real estate development concepts.
Based on the imaginary tale of a young Bedouin boy, and his fascination for the sea, the Aqua Dunya resort is a record of his adventures around the world. The historical tale explains how the young man, enthralled by the oceangoing vessels in the nearby port, stowed away on a tea schooner heading east only to return years later with treasures and tales from around the world.
Transformed by his experiences and resolute in his determination to share them with his family, the young sailor decided to build a spectacular steam and sailing vessel in his oasis town and launch it via a purpose-built canal to the sea. The Desert Pearl, one of the grandest ships of its time, traveled the world for several years before returning to anchor in the oasis where it was covered by the desert’s shifting sands, until the Aqua Dunya team discovered it deep within the UAE desert.
Restored to its former glory, the modern day Desert Pearl is 407 meters long and 95 meters from water line to top of its eight masts, and is the focal point of the Aqua Dunya theme park.
The hotel within the ship has authentic turn of the century design and interiors which will transport visitors and guests to the golden days of transatlantic cruising. The nautical discovery theme will be relived every evening, as the ship makes preparations to embark on a new voyage, its engines, smokestacks, and foghorn coming to life as fireworks light up the night sky.
The Aqua Dunya project is one of the 19 confirmed projects for Dubailand, and it is among one of the first ten projects that will coincide with Dubailand’s Phase 1 Grand Opening in early 2008. Construction on Aqua Dunya, a project equivalent in size to 150 football fields, will begin in January 2006.
Source : Asia Travel Tips
| Make a splash in Nicco Park’s fun pool | ||
| Spread over 6 acres, largest water theme park in country to cost Rs 6 cr; to have international standard water treatment facilities | ||
|
Nicco Parks and Resorts Limited is opening its Water Theme Park in summer 2006. It will be situated on the premises of Nicco Park just behind Superbowl Bowling Alley. icco has entered into an annual maintenance contract (AMC) with Ion Exchange Services Limited (IESL) to procure international standard water treatment facilities in the water park to be christened Wet O Wild - Beach Tropicana. The project will cost approximately Rs 6 crore. The water park, all of six acres, will have the largest synthetic beach in the country. IESL will ensure the highest standard of water quality and maintain suspended impurities, dissolved gases, iron content, hardness, alkalinity, dissolved solids, the colour and odour of the water. A full-fledged laboratory will be established at the park to test water twice a day prior to opening of the park and then again around mid day. The test results will be displayed prominently for the visitors’ perusal. The contract was signed between Dinesh Sadasivan, director and CEO of IESL and Arijit Sengupta, director and CEO of Nicco Park, today. IESL and Nicco Park will market these services jointly in India and the world over. This will be Nicco’s second water park after the one in Dhaka called Nandan. Another one is in the offing in Colombo. “The quality of water is very important to ward off infections and diseases. WHO has set down definite standards regarding the water in amusement parks, and we are going to maintain the standard,” said Rajesh Sharma, managing director, IESL. “Good water quality is imperative so that families can enjoy with a free mind. “The IESL will install not only the best equipment but also work towards their upkeep,” affirmed Rajeev Kaul, the chairman, Nicco. Kaul further added: “This strategic alliance will help Nicco Park to increase its water park turnkey business in the current rapidly growing economic environment of India and other parts of the world.” Source : Express News Service |
"The review has continued since early last year," a Seoul city official on investment planning said, requesting anonymity because of the uncertainty of the Disney plan.
"Disney has usually taken about two years to review the marketability in other countries... It has been said the review here has been favorable so far," he said.
Gwacheon, a city just 18 kilometers south of Seoul, has gained extra points because of the increasing flow of Asian tourists who visit the country to see Korean drama and film locations, Seoul officials said. Gwacheon would be an easy spot for Asian tourists, as well as locals, to drop by as part of their itinerary, they said.
Meanwhile, Disney said it now has "nothing specific to announce."
South Korea is a potentially attractive market for Disney but the company has no definite plans yet, spokeswoman Lisa Haines said in a telephone interview with Yonhap News Agency.
Gwacheon, linked to the capital by its subway system and highways, is also the home of Seoul Grand Park and the government complex.
Disney has two theme parks in Asia, one near Tokyo and another in Hong Kong that opened this month.
Source : Mickeynews
Le parc de Disneyland de Hong Kong connaîtra une expansion avec la création de nouvelles attractions et l'amélioration de service chaque année, a indiqué samedi Eva Cheng, commissaire chargé du tourisme du gouvernement de Hong Kong.
Intervenant à la radio, Cheng a rappelé que l'accord conclu entre les autorités de Hong Kong et la compagnie Walt Disney prévoit que le site de la première phase de ce parc à thèmes couvrira 126 hectares sur la zone côtière de la Baie de Penny, alors que l'actuel parc n'a qu'une superficie de 70 hectares.
"Pareils aux parcs de Disneyland à Tokyo et aux Etats-Unis, le Disneyland de Hong Kong construira de nouvelles infrastructures chaque année afin de promouvoir le tourisme familial", a-t-elle dit.
Quant à la qualité de services, Cheng a indiqué que l'amélioration des services se fera conformément à la culture locale, et que les moyens de transports et les mesures de contrôle de la foule sont déjà en place pour assurer le fonctionnement normal du parc.
Elle a espéré que le nombre des visiteurs venant de la partie continentale de la Chine atteindra un record au début du mois d'octobre prochain, étant donné que ces derniers resteront pour la plupart trois jours à Hong Kong.
Source : XINHUANET
Design : Hitmaaan
