Tunis, April 15, 2006: Emaar Properties PJSC, the world’s number one property developer, today announced its plans to develop the AED 6.7 billion (US$1.88 billion; TND 2.54 billion) Marina Al Qussor project on Tunisia’s eastern coastline. The 442 hectare Marina development is located within the county of Sousse towards the southern end of the Golfe de Hammamet and will offer a mix of living options and tourist attractions with a large Marina Village at its centre.
At a special ceremony in the capital Tunis yesterday, Emaar Chairman Mohamed Ali Alabbar presented the high profile project to the Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. The project will add a premier tourist destination on the southern shores of the Mediterranean away from the hustle and bustle and yet be closely located to Tunisia’s key cultural sites for tourists to explore.
Speaking at the event Mr Alabbar said: “We are honoured to showcase Marina Al Qussor to Tunisia’s President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali today. Tunisia is a country rich in heritage and we look forward to the opportunity of adding to its world class attractions with the development of Marina Al Qussor. This project is a timely addition to Tunisia’s thriving tourism industry which has been attracting the world’s attention.”
“Yesterday’s presentation sees us looking at other parts of North Africa for the development of our master planned communities and lifestyle options that have become synonymous with Emaar. With its thriving tourism industry, Tunisia is a significant market for Emaar to roll out such communities that offer everything from a thriving resort atmosphere to a quiet retreat,” said Mr Alabbar.
Emaar's Marina Al Qusoor development is in line with Tunisia's tourism policy which is currently focused on residence tourism which enables high end tourists to buy homes in areas with beautiful landscape for longer stays. The country attracted 6.4 million tourists in 2005 and is aiming for tourism revenue of close to US$2 billion in 2006.
The various components of Marina Al Qussor range from over 4,000 residential units with villas, townhouses and apartments located on the lakeside, beach, marina and quayside; six hotels ranging from luxury boutique to four star located on the beach and marina; leisure facilities with the marina, yacht club, beach clubs, spa resort, sports club, 18-hole golf course, clubhouse, driving range; and retail space located on the marina and quayside.
The development offers a series of ever changing environments ranging from natural lakes to golf landscapes and olive groves to the existing El Medfoun forest and sandy beaches. In contrast to these natural landscapes, the central marina village area will offer the ideal backdrop to the hustle and bustle of the resort centre. The village will become the heart of the resort with shops, restaurants and apartments surrounding the 400 berth marina that will support boats of all sizes including large private boats that cruise the Mediterranean.
The architectural character of the development is based on numerous distinctive traditional Tunisian elements from building techniques to styles and materials. Low rise buildings add to the charm of the site allowing uninhibited views across the development.
Emaar’s innovative offering of self-contained, amenities-rich communities have created lifestyle options that have been the first choice for many investors. The integration of schools, health facilities, parks, landscaped environs and retail centres within master-planned golf, equestrian and marina themed communities has proven to a big attraction for the home buyer.
With joint ventures and projects covering Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Syria, Egypt, India, Pakistan and now Tunisia, Emaar is taking its winning formula first conceived in its home base Dubai to the rest of the world.
