RAK opens Real gateway to Asia and Middle East

Ras Al Khaimah is poised to become Real Madrid's gateway to Asia and the Middle East once the $1 billion 'Real Madrid Resort Island' sees the light of day in January 2015.

The foundation stone for the Real Madrid-themed Al Marjan Development project on a man-made island was laid on Thursday in the presence of the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qassimi and the Spanish club president Florentino Perez.

Former Real Madrid stars Zinedine Zidane, now Madrid's director of football, and Emilio Butragueño also attended the ceremony.

Perez said Ras Al Khaimah was chosen as the location for the 'Real Madrid Resort Island' because it lies equidistant between Europe and the Far East, "home to half the estimated 300 million fans" of the club.

“And because the government shared the vision, drive and ambition to work with the club in creating a unique concept of ‘Sportainment’,” he said.

“The world of sports and Real Madrid again prove to have no boundaries and that football is a fantastic tool with which to bring together diverse nationalities and cultures. This team's fans are passionate wherever they may be and never give up. Their dreams motivate us on a daily basis," added Perez.

His Highness Sheikh Saqr said the 50-hectare resort, will be the flagship of the Al Marjan Development and aims to attract one million visitors a year.

Plans for the resort - which lies a 45 minute-drive from Dubai airport - were initially unveiled in Madrid last week.

The first recreational tourism complex built under the Real Madrid trademark will be a comprehensive sporting destination complete with luxury hotels, a marina and amusement park featuring the use of latest technologies such as hologram animations. It will also house a 10,000-seat stadium, the first in the world to directly open to the sea, as well as sports facilities, a club museum, shopping mall, private beaches and residential areas.

Perez added: "This is a decisive and strategic step that will enhance the strength of this institution in the Middle East and Asia, a key region in which the passion for this club is very apparent and growing. The project may be seen as unusual for a football club, but we feel this will set a trend across the industry as clubs try to find new ways to make money.”

Louis-Armand de Rougé, the CEO of RAK Marjan Island Football, the entity behind the project, added “the complex is designed not only for the millions of Real Madrid fans around the world but also for all families wishing to experience an unforgettable moment in a unique place.
 
“It will also allow Real Madrid to accelerate its growth in Asian and Middle Eastern markets,” he said. “The alignment of our interests and the quality of our dialogue with Real Madrid and the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah has played a decisive role in the implementation of this unique concept. We are delighted to participate in this great project and we will work with passion to welcome the fans and their families at the Real Madrid Resort Island. It will truly be a dream island,” he added.

Dr. Khater Massaad, the CEO of RAK Investment Authority (RAKIA) said there couldn’t be a better advertisement for investment opportunities in tourism related real estate developments

“Ras Al Khaimah is proud to host Real Madrid on the beautiful RAK Marjan Island to promote sport tourism in the UAE and offer a gateway for this universal brand to the Middle East and Asia,” he said. “This is the first of numerous investment opportunities that will become available in the near future.” 

"Today’s announcement is also a further endorsement that our once quaint emirate has exploded to become a magnet for business investment," he added.

Real Madrid ranked top this year in the Money League of richest football clubs published by consultancy Deloitte, with revenues of 480 million euros ($637m) in the 2010-2011 season.

They currently sit six points ahead of fierce rivals Barcelona at the top of the Spanish league.