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Bahrain is aiming to reignite its tourism sector after months of civil unrest by building a US$5m theme park based on The Smurfs, the popular Belgian children’s cartoon centred around a group of small blue fictional creatures, it was reported at the weekend.
Earlier this year, hotels in the Gulf kingdom's capital Manama reported a 112 percent rise in occupancy rates to 45 percent, according to latest figures released by STR Global, and authorities hope to capitalise on this with their latest ambitious project.
The BHD2m (US$5.27m) Smurf village has been given the go ahead by Bahrain authorities and will be built on an 8,350 sqm site in West Riffa at the Prince Khalifa bin Salman Grand Garden, it was reported by Bahrain’s Gulf Daily News.
The development will include 30 Smurf houses measuring around 50 sqm and which can accommodate up to 20 children each.
In addition, the report said there will also be a 250 sqm Papa Smurf house and a 220 sqm castle, which will home to the Smurf’s nemesis Gargamel. Plans will also include a café, aquarium, stables and a souvenir shop.
"We will provide investors with the utmost support and will work with them to get the park ready in a fast and efficient manner, which includes helping them get the required approvals from bodies concerned," Central Municipal Council and chairman Abdulrazzak Al Hattab was quoted as saying.
"Similar projects exist in a number of other countries and the chance to bring it to Bahrain should make everyone proud, since such projects don't come along often," he added.
A Hollywood live action 3D film about the adventures of the fictional characters, which were created by Belgian cartoonist Pierre Culliford in 1968, proved popular in the region and was the fourth biggest movie in the UAE in the last 12 months.
According to official figures, 325,245 people went to see it and it generated AED13.95m (US$$3.8m) in revenue for Sony Pictures.
The problem with many South Asians in general and Indians in particular is that greed has no limit for them. No matter how much they get, which is often... more
Wednesday, 19 June 2013 10:59 AM - Fahd
In those so called democratic (they should change it to Hypocratic) there is freedom of speech but no freedom after the speech.
When the guys speaking... more
If Boeing can develop a 777 that can fly for 20 hours, then why bother flying through Dubai? Most EK traffic is transfer passengers. 20 hours nonstop would... more
Wednesday, 19 June 2013 5:04 PM - John HarteThe problem with many South Asians in general and Indians in particular is that greed has no limit for them. No matter how much they get, which is often... more
Wednesday, 19 June 2013 10:59 AM - Fahd
@anguilla: Kalba town is part of the Sharjah Emirate.
along with khor fakkan and dibba al hisn.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharjah_%28emirate... more
I am wondering why this article is being published here? it is really useless. anyway, I in certain ways agree with the Mufti. god bless Saudi Arabia more
Tuesday, 18 June 2013 9:27 AM - Faisal@ Henry, enough of whining, the host country does not need you, it is your employer that needs your services and you know well enough that you can be made... more
Saturday, 1 June 2013 11:32 AM - ZainOrganizations like HRW, Green peace, ILO, UNHCR are so self serving that it is amazing they still exist! they spend 60/70 percent of their budgets (meant... more
Thursday, 30 May 2013 7:53 PM - NavinThe problem with many South Asians in general and Indians in particular is that greed has no limit for them. No matter how much they get, which is often... more
Wednesday, 19 June 2013 10:59 AM - Fahd
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