Crystal Lagoons taps into booming Middle East tourism and real estate market 16.04.2014: Unveiling eight mega projects in the Middle East will add to regional

Unveiling eight mega projects in the Middle East will add to regional portfolio as large scale project developers look to low maintenance, high impact crystalline lagoons for added value leisure experiences
 


Photo caption: Crystal Lagoons are unveiling eight new mega projects in the Middle East building both their regional and international portfolio.


Crystal Lagoons Corp., the patented technology developer of giant crystalline lagoons, is boosting the profile of its growing portfolio of Middle East projects with eight new developments being added and the operational launch of an initial phase at its Meydan mega lagoons project.


The company already holds two Guinness World Records’ titles with successful locations at San Alfonso del Mar, Chile and Sharm El Sheik, Egypt, which is currently the world’s largest lagoon at 12 hectares. Its global portfolio of 300 projects located in 60 countries now includes a total of eight operational or under development sites in the Middle East, including Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Oman and the UAE.


“With ongoing investment into tourism infrastructure in key markets across the region from Oman to Saudi Arabia, and a positive economic outlook for a number of GCC nations specifically, this really is an exciting time to be at the forefront of leisure development in the Middle East.


In bringing this kind of revolutionary technology to the market, we are supporting key tourism players and government bodies in further positioning the region as a hub for unique quality-driven leisure experiences,” Kevin P Morgan, CEO, Crystal Lagoons.


The new projects will include the Radmis Egypt lagoon, the second development for the country in Egypt, the first being the company’s largest in the Middle East (Sharm El Sheikh Lagoon which is 12 hectares).


“Our CityStars Sharm El Sheikh lagoon was a first for the region, and allowed us to effectively showcase our patented technology to developers across the Middle East. Building on the success of our inaugural Egypt lagoon, we are now developing a second one for Sharm El Sheikh –Radamis Lagoon - which will be the glittering turquoise centerpiece for this three-property, 2500-room mixed-use development,” said Morgan.


The company will also be venturing into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the first time, with two major developments under construction, both lagoons will be located in Jeddah.


Crystal Lagoons’ portfolio of regional projects also includes the completed 4.29-hectare Dead Sea Lagoon in Jordan, a project developed in partnership with Turath for Tourism & Real Estate Projects, and the under development four hectare lagoon located within the new Barka Resort in Oman.


The Alargan-developed resort is situated 50 kilometres west of the capital, Muscat, and the lagoon is set to become the focal point of the community, which will also offer three hotels, serviced apartments, villas, townhouses, apartments and a souk.


Part of the high profile District 1 community at the upcoming Mohammed Bin Rashid City development, the initial phase has been completed as part of a mega lagoon project covering a total area of 40 hectares.


A joint venture between Meydan Group and Sobha Developers, Ltd, a leading Indian real estate developer, phase one also includes a housing project with nine test homes which, together with the lagoon, are a ‘showroom’ for the development, which will eventually include residential areas, hotels and commercial opportunities. 


The next phases of the lagoon project are set to be approximately 8 hectares and be delivered in 2016, with an additional 9 hectares completed by 2017.


“The initial phase of the lagoon at Meydan is just the precursor to what will ultimately be the worlds largest connected crystalline lagoon when all 40 hectares are transformed into an aquatic playground for watersports, poolside relaxation and family fun.


And our pioneering concept and state-of-the-art technology allows for the cost-effective construction and operations of lagoons of any size and in any location - whether it's the middle of a harsh desert environment or up in the remotest mountain community,” added Morgan.




The only global company with the technological capability to make the development of giant controlled manmade bodies of water economically viable, Crystal Lagoons is positioning itself as offering a unique product differentiator to high profile tourism projects around the world.


Its technology makes it possible for people to enjoy an authentic beach experience in previously unimaginable locations, such as the desert or in the centre of major cities, with the potential to add economic value to new tourism destinations.


Designed to be self-cleaning, the lagoons use up to 100 times less chemicals than traditional systems, and only two per cent of the energy required by conventional filtering technologies, making them incredibly sustainable.




Kate McGeever, Shamal Marketing Communications Dubai also photos