ACTVENTURE advisory board looks beyond Sunshine Coast for second attraction in the UAE

With earth moving works set to commence later this year at new Sunshine Coast adventure-based attraction ACTVENTURE, the new destination’s advisory board has revealed that it is considering the rollout of a second similar venture in the United Arab Emirates.

Meeting on the sidelines of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Dubai Winter Forum this week, members of ACTVENTURE’s advisory board, including: Talal Najibi, Executive Chair of Najibi Investments; WhiteWater West's Geoff and Paul Chutter and ACTVENTURE Chief Executive Bradley P. Sutherland, considered potential locations and partners for a UAE rollout.

The meeting also involved Joe Zenas, Chief Executive of US consultancy practice the Thinkwell Group, who designed the plan for the $400 million Queensland venture, with Canadian waterpark specialist WhiteWater working on the waterpark.

Commenting on the potential second attraction, Geoff Chutter stated “the UAE is the leading leisure and entertainment destination in the Middle East region with a huge growth potential over the next three years where we believe the market could double when the current projects on the books are complete.

“I believe that ACTVENTURE is a differentiated active lifestyle destination that will cause huge waves in Australia and bringing the concept to UAE will only add to the country’s diversified sector.”

Chutter was in the UAE to participate in the IAAPA Dubai Winter Forum, that attracts operators from all over the world.

Attendees took part in a range of industry seminars, networked with fellow industry professionals, and experienced behind-the-scenes tours of the UAE’s newest parks and attractions.

ACTVENTURE is currently in the final stages of negotiating the bulk earthworks contract for its Sunshine Coast development site. The multimillion dollar contract will entail a 150,000 metre3 cut and fill project, including carving out a large lagoon and terraforming its surrounding area.

The work will also see existing waterways sculpted to maintain their natural beauty and fully maintaining green areas.

Three Sunshine Coast contractors are on the short list and a final decision is expected soon.

Sutherland advised “we decided to convene our Advisory Board meeting here in Dubai to discuss the potential prospects we face and to develop strategies to most optimally meet these opportunities.

“ACTVENTURE on the Sunshine Coast is coming to life and we expect to make a final decision on who to assign as our bulk earthworks contractor soon.”

Bankrolled by SANAD Capital – the Australian offshoot of Dubai-based investment firm Najibi – the first ACTVENTURE destination is set to start construction in the fourth quarter of this year.

The 25-hectare project includes a waterpark, events lawn, retail zone and an outdoor adventure park for kayaking, bungy jumping, flyboarding, zorbing, paddle boarding, as well as plans for a family hotel and a sports precinct for skateboarding, BMX and parkour.

Images: Top, from left: Paul Chutter - Chief Business Development Officer of WhiteWater; Bradley P. Sutherland of Actventure; Talal Y. Najibi, Executive Chairman of Najibi Investments; Geoff Chutter, founder and Chief Executive of WhiteWater and Mohamed Y. Najibi, Vice Chairman of Najibi Investments. Below, from left: Paul Chutter, Bradley P. Sutherland, Geoff Chutter, Mohamed Y. Najibi, and Talal Y. Najibi. 

5th September 2017 - BULK EARTHWORKS APPROVAL A MAJOR STEP FOR SUNSHINE COAST ACTVENTURE DEVELOPMENT 

7th July 2017 - INTERNATIONAL ADVISORS APPOINTED TO HELP LEAD SUNSHINE COAST ATTRACTION INTO CONSTRUCTION PHASE

15th May 2017 - BRAND REVEALED FOR PLANNED SUNSHINE COAST ACTIVE LIFESTYLE DESTINATION

12th April 2017 - DUBAI’S 21ST GLOBAL VILLAGE WELCOMED 5.6 MILLION GUESTS 

16th March 2017 - LEGAL TANGLE SURROUNDING NEW SUNSHINE COAST ATTRACTION INVOLVES FORMER SURFING STAR

15th February 2017 - SUNSHINE COAST ACTIVE RECREATION ATTRACTION GETS PLANNING APPROVAL

7th December 2016 - ASTM INTERNATIONAL TO RELEASE STANDARD FOR WATERPARK CONVEYOR BELTS 

12th November 2016 - ABU DHABI LAUNCHES NEW TOURISM CAMPAIGN

31st October 2016 - DUBAI PARKS MEGA-RESORT OPENING STARTS WITH LEGOLAND LAUNCH

4th October 2016 - DUBAI PARKS LAUNCHES NEW NAME, ANNOUNCES ATTRACTIONS OPENING DATES 

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