Dubai Aquarium sees 1.5m-plus paid visitors in first year

AQUA WORLD: The Dubai Aquarium features species like Sand Tiger Sharks, Rays and Giant Groupers. (supplied)

The Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo at the Dubai Mall witnessed more than 1.5 million paid visitors this year, the company said in a press release this week.

The visitors toured the walkthrough tunnel for closer encounters of the 33,000 aquatic animals and the underwater zoo and experienced a sample of the world’s marine diversity.  

A year ago, the aquarium received global recognition from the Guinness Book for the ‘World’s Largest Acrylic Panel’ and has already been viewed by over 30 million visitors to the mall.  

In a media release this week, Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of Emaar Retail, which manages the aquarium and underwater zoo, said the original showcase of the diversity of the marine world has helped strengthen awareness of the wonders of the sea amongst visitors and has helped bring a unique shopping experience.

“One year on and we still retain the Guinness Record for the ‘World’s Largest Acrylic Panel’.  The engineering and design feats accomplished to develop this aquarium, which houses 10,000 litres of water and is suspended on a floor with hundreds of retail outlets below, remains unmatched in the industry. Dubai Aquarium has achieved the recognition of being one of the region’s most sought-after tourist destinations – a testament to our commitment to add value to the local economy,” he added.  

Amiri said that Emaar Retail has introduced several features during the past 12 months to assure visitors a more engaging experience.

“These are first of their kind initiatives in the world in a mall environment and help ensure we offer a distinctive edge. The Dubai Mall is redefining the shopping mall experience and Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is one of the central components which offer visitors a unique shopping experience.”

The new features as well as the sheer wealth of marine species – over 220 of them forming a family of 33,000 aquatic animals – continue to attract thousands of visitors to the leisure facility every day.

The Dubai Aquarium features species like Sand Tiger Sharks, Rays and Giant Groupers, the Underwater Zoo features penguins, otters, seals, alligators, eels and piranhas, among others, all set in a three-zone environment.

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READERS' COMMENTS

Figures
Posted by Mark Flap on Monday 9 November 2009 at 19:08 UAE time


So there were 7 million visitors to Dubai in 2008, but 30 million people visited the Dubai Mall aquarium in the past 12 months???

Hi Joe
Posted by What rip off? on Monday 9 November 2009 at 13:28 UAE time


Joe, A tea from cafeteria cost only 1 AED, but if you buy the same from a 5 star Restaurant. Same stuff, different enviornment and two prices. right??
No one is forcing you to walk 25 feet under the tunnel. But if you feel like to see the aquatic animals close by then pay the fee.

Fishtank
Posted by john, none, none on Sunday 8 November 2009 at 10:26 UAE time


I think it could certainly hold the award for the world largest fish tank?
I really do question those numbers...
Dubai has 7 Million Visitors in 2008. Let us ignore the Worldwide financial crisis and remain optimistic that we expect the same No. of visitors in 2009.
We all know that the entire ME/Gulf gets atleast twice (if not more) No. of tourists from Oct - April compared to the really hot months of the year, May thru Sept.
The mall opened in April, It is now the beginning of November. With all the above assumptions, that works out to about 3.1 Million Tourists.
So we are saying that about 1.5 Million PAYING Tourists have visited the fishtank at Dubai Mall? If that is the case, I really want to hire their marketing execs for doing an absolutely brilliant job!

That being said, the aquarium and the acrylic panel truly is an engineering feat! great gob to those designers, engineers and laborers who got that that up there!

Dubai Mall
Posted by suleyusuf@hotmail.com, Abuja, Nigeria on Sunday 8 November 2009 at 09:39 UAE time


Who are these people? To commence something and successfully complete is an achievement by any standards. The projects that Dubai usually undertakes and actually delivers are usually challenging to say the least.I believe Dubai should be given all the accolades and encouragement it deserves.As an architect who's travelled the four corners of the globe ,i can assure you that when the Dubai dream finally starts to link together,except you can't afford it,it will be a must have experience that will be hard to beat.Kudos to Dubai Mall & the Dubai vision!

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