The Middle East is not traditionally thought of as the world's top party destination, although that has been changing with publicity surrounding Beirut's night life and Dubai's burgeoning club scene . However, the United Arab Emirates plans on taking its party scene to a whole new level .
Although the UAE still operates with some semblance of conservative Shariah Law, this has done little to deter the growing party culture, specifically for expats. Now, officials of the man-made Al Marjan Islands located in Ras Al Khaimah – locally, dubbed 'RAK' – have announced that they are in discussions with promoters and music companies to transform the development into a regional entertainment hub.
“Just like Ibiza or Miami, which are destinations where the attractions are all on the water, it’s an idea we are working to develop in Al Marjan Island,” an official for the islands told The National .
There are four Al Marjan Islands that will be developed to encourage tourism and beach events: Dream, Treasure, View and Breeze. Dream is slated for the first wave of development with plans for two mega-clubs, four beach clubs, 100 restaurants and five hotels, with the goal of hosting some 200,000 party-goers. Five points for name creativity.
Liquor licenses are technically required to consume, purchase and own alcohol in the UAE, though in reality, tourists rarely obtain these documents. However, alcohol will reportedly be more than readily available in this new party destination. Located about 40 minutes from Dubai, RAK is well situated to attract partiers for one or two days from the nearby emirate.
"We’re hoping to get music lovers from all around the world to all the islands. We’re working to bring music festivals for people in the UAE also to enjoy," the same official told The National.
“We’re also hoping to attract beach clubs, because we do have beautiful beaches."
The announcement comes after a recent dip in tourism to UAE last year. Tourists mainly visit RAK from Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and India. With the economic troubles in Russia, the tourism decline has been blamed on fewer Russian tourists. Developing Al Marjan Islands is hoped to combat the downturn.
"This is a fantastic idea, and having other options will help, particularly with the sudden drop in arrivals from Russia, with the ruble suffering a hit," the managing director of Lama Tours and Holidays told the National.
“RAK is widening its reach and this will help to target other markets interested in beach parties, like the U.K.”
Management for the project have even claimed that they would like to attract music events such as Burning Man. Although with the accompanying Burning Man drug culture, it may be a stretch to think that the music festival would be exactly the same in the UAE.
But will the funding for the new venture actually turn up? The project is looking to raise approximately 19 billion AED ($5 billion) in investment, with hopes to complete the first wave of development by 2018.
During the previous boom years of the UAE, several massive projects were announced only to be placed on the back-burner indefinitely. A Real Madrid Resort Island project set to be constructed in RAK, which was to include a stadium, museum and theme park, was put aside in 2013. The Boris Becker Beach Resort & Tennis Academy, which was announced in 2008, has also never come to fruition. And perhaps most notably, the "Heart of Europe" project was put on hold for four years and is just now starting again.
We can't help but hope this new endeavor will find more success, although 2018 is a long time to wait.