Dubai to build world’s biggest mall
Dubai has announced plans to build the world’s biggest shopping mall, which will incorporate a theme park, theatres and 100 hotels.
The Mall of the World, to open in 2020, will be four times the size of the Metro Centre in Gateshead, which is itself the largest in Europe. It will hold seven kilometres of thoroughfares based on London’s Oxford Street, a ‘Broadway’ theatre district and facilities for medical tourists.
Alongside the Mall of the World showpiece development is the planned mega convention centre and related infrastructure that will help to bolster and support Dubai’s plans to become the most visited city in the world.
Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: "The growth in family and retail tourism underpins the need to enhance Dubai’s tourism infrastructure as soon as possible.
"This project complements our plans to transform Dubai into a cultural, tourist and economic hub for the 2 billion people living in the region around us – and we are determined to achieve our vision.
"Our ambitions are higher than having seasonal tourism – tourism is the key driver of our economy and we aim to make the UAE an attractive destination all year long. This is why we will start working on providing pleasant temperature-controlled environments during the summer months."
The Mall of the World is to be located along Sheikh Zayed Road and is being described as "a city within a city".
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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