A familiar theme at ATM

DUBAI – The mega projects have continued to roll out at Arabian Travel Market this week.

Among the latest is The Crown, being developed on Palm island Jebel Ali by Dubai’s Nakheel group and Busch Entertainment Corporation.

Aimed at families, The Crown will have hotels, resorts and four theme parks: Seaworld, Aquatica, Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove.

Joseph Couceiro, corporate vice president and chief marketing officer for Busch, said. “This makes a statement even for Dubai.”

The development will have a strong focus on conservation of the marine life around Palm Jebel Ali.

Palm Jebel Ali, including The Crown development – opening 2012 – will include more than 50 hotels and about 23,000 rooms. It will also house 504 water homes – “the biggest number of water homes in the world”, say Nakheel.

Another theme park heading for Dubai is US$250 million Legoland, the fifth in the world. It will be installed in Dubailand

There are three Legoland parks in Europe and one in California.

Dubailand, when completed will be the same size as Singapore, and will house 26 mega projects and at least 11 theme parks.