Underwater theme park ‘to further boost Kingdom’s tourism growth’

The Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism (MOIC), Zayed Al Zayani has asserted that the partnership with the private sector on tourism projects, including the recently announced underwater theme park, embodies the Kingdom’s economic vision, which emphasises the private sector’s role in driving economic growth.

The Minister’s statement followed the announcement by the Personal Representative of His Majesty the King and President of the Supreme Council for Environment (SCE), HH Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, that the Kingdom is set to establish the world’s largest underwater theme park, with a submerged Boeing 747 passenger jet as its centrepiece.

Mr Al Zayani noted that the project, launched in partnership with the SCE, Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), Diyar Al Muharraq and a number of private entities, will further support the Kingdom’s reputation as a distinct tourist destination in the region. He added that the unique dive site covers an area of 100,000 square metres and that the 70-metre long decommissioned Boeing 747 at its centrepiece is the first time an aircraft of this magnitude has been submerged underwater and adapted to allow safe access and enjoyment for divers.

In addition to the aircraft, the dive site will also include a replica of a traditional Bahraini pearl merchant’s house, artificial coral reefs and other sculptures that will be fabricated from eco-friendly material, and submerged to provide a safe haven for coral reef growth and habitat for marine life. The minister emphasised that the new project will provide an enjoyable experience for tourists and diving enthusiasts, given the large area it covers and will provide rich data on marine ecology and biology for scientists and researchers.