NEWS: New theme park set to open in Aqaba, Jordan

[Yamez]

http://overheadbin.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/08/02/7231997-star-trek-theme-park-to-arrive-in-the-near-future

http://inhabitat.com/jordans-1-5-billion-star-trek-theme-park-to-be-powered-by-alternative-energy/

http://www.thenational.ae/business/travel-tourism/jordan-theme-park-treks-ahead

 

“Scotty, beam us to Jordan.”

 

Sometime in 2014, a theme park in the coastal town of Aqaba will open its doors to Trekkies everywhere − at least to those who can afford the cost of 21st century travel.

 

It turns out that King Abdullah II of Jordan is a huge “Star Trek” fan. (When he was prince, he had a nonspeaking role in “Star Trek: Voyager.”)

The king, through his King Abdullah II Fund for Development, is the main local investor of the $1.5 billion project, according to The National, an Abu Dhabi-based newspaper.

 

The Red Sea Astrarium, the planned 184-acre entertainment resort, will feature a “'Star Trek'-themed center that will deliver a variety of multi-sensory futuristic experiences, culminating with a state-of-the art space-flight adventure that takes real-time immersive entertainment experiences to bold new heights,” according to the developer, Rubicon Group Holding.

 

But the theme park isn’t betting its future on science fiction. The site will also highlight the region’s rich history, and host a pavilion where businesses, students and others can learn about green energy, such as solar, wind and graywater harvesting. And to be all things to all tourists, the Middle East resort will also offer five-star accommodations, theater, fine dining, shopping and other non-futuristic amenities.

 

CBS Consumer Products, which is licensing Star Trek to the park, also continues to feed the Trekkie appetite this year with clothing, board games, character busts and collectables, and − cue the show’s theme music − the first “Star Trek”-themed Mr. Potato Head!

 

Um, just point us to the holodeck.

 

Seems like a pretty interesting concept, especially the energy consumption. I'm just trying to image what kind of rides they're gonna throw in here.

Edited May 28, 2013 by jedimaster1227

[Evanaj15]

So, this would be in Jordan?

[deathbydinn]

One of the links has a bit more information on what this project will include.

 

The resort will include hotels, theatres, dining and shopping. The entertainment will be themed around the idea of Jordan as "a crossroads of civilisations", Ms Ayoubi said.

 

The Star Trek-themed "space-flight adventure" will be created under licence from CBS Consumer Products, which manages the licensing of television shows including the CSI series.

 

http://www.thenational.ae/business/travel-tourism/jordan-theme-park-treks-ahead

 

So, it doesn't sound like a Star Trek park, more a resort with a Star Trek themed ride/complex.

 

 

Link

[jedimaster1227]

http://www.zawya.com/story/Construction_of_USD15bn_Aqaba_theme_park_begins-ZAWYA20130527033346/

 

Construction of the $1.5 billion The Red Sea Astrarium - a leisure destination and theme park in Jordan's Aqba zone - has begun and will create over 4,000 jobs in the country.

 

The High Commissioner of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), Dr. Kamel Mahadin, announced that groundbreaking for the first themed tourist destination in Jordan is ready.

 

At a ceremony, held under the patronage of the Prime Minister of Jordan, Abdalla Ensour, the layout for land development, entertainment designs and architectural and engineering plans were revealed.

 

Details of the 184 acre themed entertainment resort were brought to life in an unconventional manner via a purpose-built cyclorama with 360-degree virtual reality projection, designed to give delegates attending the World Economic Forum in Jordan a taste of The Red Sea Astrarium experience.

 

The showcase highlighted how the Red Sea Astrarium (TRSA) will become a diverse leisure destination that is themed around the entertainment attractions drawing from the past, the present and the future of the region. The resort will also host the American Museum of Natural History's Silk Road Exhibition throughout its Hijazi Gardens.

 

The ceremony demonstrated the home grown and break-through technology behind two attractions that will catapult Jordan to the forefront for interactive experiences, including a global first for 4D inverted simulation that is different on every ride.

 

The announcement at the ground-breaking ceremony also underlined the project's mandate for job creation, the contribution it will have towards tourism in Jordan and its use of clean energy sources.

 

The Chief Commissioner of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone, Dr. Kamel Mahadin highlighted details of the resort that will make it the first of its kind in the world.

 

Speaking to delegates, Dr Mahadin said; "A major goal in the design of The Red Sea Astrarium is to actively engage the local communities through training with on-site hospitality academies, job creation, promoting the length of a tourist's stay and encouraging repeat visitation. The entertainment resort will undeniably transform the Aqaba region and make it a high-end tourism hub for Jordan. It will do so whilst telling stories from our regional culture, integrating alternative energy sources and promoting the development of the entertainment industry in Jordan."

 

Other details that were announced included four-world-class hotels, an expansive retail and dining district, a theatre that will bring globally renowned shows to Aqaba, a 4D cinema, an exhilarating water park and an entertainment district that includes 16 entertainment attractions, 15 designed by Rubicon Group Holding, an international group founded and head quartered in Jordan, and the 16th attraction based on Star Trek, the CBS-owned property designed by Paramount Pictures.

[yay101]

It just sounds like the only Star Trek related thing is the 16th attraction, and that the rest of the park will be a regular park. So why are they billing it as a Star Trek Park?