Bawadi, Bawadi, a member of Tatweer, has announced plans to double investment on its 10-km tourism strip to Dh200 billion ($54.45 billion).

The increase in investment will witness a corresponding increase in the number of hotels in the project, under construction on the outskirts of Dubai, from 31 to 51. In addition, the fresh dose of funds will more than double the number of hotel rooms from 29,000 to 60,000, according to Saeed Al Muntafiq, executive chairman of Tatweer.
Tatweer said the move to increase investments was in line with the directive from Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
“The expansion is in line with Dubai’s strategic plan 2015, with the tourism sector set to contribute 11 per cent in annual growth to achieve a GDP of $108 billion by 2015,” said Mohammad Al Gergawi, executive chairman of Dubai Holding.
“Doubling the investment will secure Bawadi’s position as a must-visit destination for tourists. The increase in both hotels and rooms will ensure that Dubai’s hospitality industry can meet the projected demand,” said Gergawi.
When completed, Bawadi will have the highest concentration of hotels linked with the biggest shopping area in the world.
Bawadi is also part of Dubai’s multi-billion-dirham tourism project, Dubailand, which will have a number of Las Vegas-style hotels and Disneyland-type theme parks, including the recently announced Universal Studios.
Launched in May 2006, Bawadi is the world’s largest hospitality and leisure development that will include the world’s biggest shopping area and the world’s biggest hotel, Asia Asia. As the centrepiece of Bawadi, the hotel will provide 6,500 rooms, combining 5,100 four star and an additional 1,400 five star rooms.
Asia-Asia will be a part of the first phase of development, which includes a spending of Dh12 billion by Tatweer in hotel and infrastructure, and will be completed by 2010.