Qatar plans to build $5.5bn Disney-size theme park
Qatar is beginning construction of a new tourist complex worth 20 billion Riyal ($5.5bn), which will be centred around a large amusement park that is supposed to be bigger than iconic Magic Kingdom of Walt Disney Co., Bloomberg reports
The Simaisma project will be located about 40 minutes north of the capital Doha. It will occupy an area of 8m square metres and is set to include an 18-hole golf course surrounded by 300 villas, luxury resorts, a marina and a beach club, as well as residential buildings and shops.
"The anchor is the theme park, and that phase will be coming first to attract more people to come and invest,” Qatari Diar CEO Ali Mohamed Al-Ali said. “It is part of the government strategy to diversify the economy and invest in the tourism pillar.”
Qatari Diar is currently negotiating with several international operators to manage the park. According to Mr. Al-Ali, a final decision will be made in the coming months. The new 650,000 square metre facility is expected to be even bigger than Disney's Magic Kingdom, which covers an area of just a little over 404,000 square metres.
