Dubai Gold District to open world’s longest 24-karat gold walkway before year-end

Dubai: Dubai Gold District has announced plans to open Dubai’s first gold walkway before the end of this year, describing it as the first of its kind and the longest in the world. The walkway will be made of 24-karat gold. The announcement comes as Dubai celebrates two Guinness World Records for the heaviest pair of gold earrings and the largest pair of earrings in the world, achieved with a handcrafted traditional design known as “Jhumkas”. Rashid Al Harmoudi, Senior Director of the Commercial Sector at Dubai Gold District, revealed plans to open the gold walkway before the end of this year, creating a new tourist attraction in the district. Al Harmoudi said: “The walkway, which is scheduled to open within the next two months, will be the first of its kind and the longest in the world, and will be made of 24-karat gold.” He said the project is part of efforts to strengthen Dubai’s position as a tourist destination and global centre for gold trading. Speaking on the sidelines of an event announcing the two new Guinness World Records, Al Harmoudi said the walkway will allow visitors and tourists to walk along a golden path, creating a new tourism experience in Dubai Gold District. He also highlighted plans for an exhibition in the district that aims to become the largest for the gold and jewellery trade in the Middle East. Since the beginning of this year, Dubai Gold District has recorded 20% growth in the number of wholesale gold trading offices beginning operations in the district, alongside 15% growth in the number of new stores specialising in gold, jewellery, precious stones and luxury watches. Rashid Al Harmoudi, Senior Director of the Commercial Sector at Dubai Gold District Al Harmoudi said expansion work is continuing within the district to meet growing demand from gold and jewellery companies seeking to establish operations there. He predicted that the number of companies relocating to the district would grow by between 10% and 20% during the coming year, alongside the provision of new office and retail space as part of the expansion plans. Meanwhile, Joyalukkas Jewellers set two Guinness World Records for the heaviest pair of gold earrings and the largest pair of earrings in the world with a traditional dangling design known as “Jhumkas”, which was handcrafted. Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri unveiled the earrings yesterday at a Joyalukkas showroom in Dubai Gold District. An official representative from Guinness World Records presented the two record certificates to Dr Joy Alukkas and John Paul Alukkas in the presence of Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri. Named “Sahasra Mile”, meaning “A Thousand Peacocks”, the earrings were inspired by the peacock, a symbol of grace, pride and beauty in Indian culture. The pair of 22-karat gold earrings has a net weight of 16.514 kilograms, more than five times the previous world record. The earrings took several months of meticulous handcrafting by Joyalukkas’ most skilled artisans. Joy Alukkas, Chairman of the Joyalukkas Group, said: “Dubai has recorded a new global achievement by having a pair of gold earrings enter the Guinness Book of World Records, after setting two records as the heaviest pair of gold earrings and the largest pair of earrings in the world, with a traditional dangling design.” He added that Guinness World Records had officially recognised both achievements. The earrings will be preserved as works of art rather than offered for sale and will be permanently displayed in Dubai.