Islands off Dubai coast show progress

The Dubai developer behind the Heart of Europe project in The World Islands has tied up with a seaplane tour operator in a sign that the project is inching towards a stage where it can attract tourists, albeit from 500 metres up.

Announced in 2009, construction at the Heart of Europe restarted late last year after legal wrangling that resulted in the developer, Kleindienst Group, paying Dh622 million to the master developer, Nakheel, in a settlement.
Construction is under way on the Germany island, which makes up the first phase. The company said the second phase of the project, the Sweden island, would be launched next month. The project will also include the main island called Europe, along with those named after Monaco, the Russian city of St Petersburg and Switzerland.
"This partnership offers prospective investors in Dubai and Seawings passengers a completely unique way to experience The World,” said Stuart Wheeler, the chief executive of Seawings.
Under the agreement, the Dubai-based seaplane operator will promote tourism to The World, and will offer Heart of Europe guests preferential rates to fly over the islands and Dubai's coastline. It would also fly guests from around the Arabian Gulf region to the project.
It marks the latest transport deal to link the project to the mainland. In April, Heart of Europe tied up with Dubai's RTA for water taxi and ferry links. Last month it signed an agreement with Ultimate Charter to provide access to luxury yachts.
Once complete, Heart of Europe is designed to feature climate-controlled areas with rain showers and snow-lined streets, an open aquarium, a convention centre and luxury hotels, including the Empress Elisabeth Wedding Hotel and the Mont Royal family hotel, which will have a floor under water and floating villas.
Source: The National