Miral plans to expand the tourism infrastructure on Yas Island over the next five years, increase the number of hotel rooms, and upgrade existing facilities.

The company Miral intends to invest more than 12 billion dirhams in the further development of Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The five-year program includes expanding theme parks, launching new entertainment concepts, and increasing the island's hotel infrastructure.

The investments will be directed toward developing the already established Yas Island tourism cluster, which brings together theme parks, hotels, cultural venues, retail infrastructure, and other leisure destinations.

The company specifically clarified that the announced 12 billion dirhams are not related to the previously announced Disney project and represent an independent development program for both existing and new facilities.

Yas Island to receive new attractions and entertainment projects

One of the main focuses of the investment program will be the expansion of the island's existing theme parks and attractions.

Miral plans to launch new attractions, including immersive entertainment formats, as well as modernize facilities already in operation.

The company has not yet disclosed the exact number of new projects, the opening dates for individual attractions, or their specific features.

Nevertheless, the scale of the planned investments indicates that the development of Yas Island will continue across several areas, from entertainment to the hospitality sector.

The number of hotel rooms will increase by 30–35%

A significant part of the program is linked to the expansion of hotel infrastructure.

Over the next five years, the total number of hotel rooms on Yas Island is planned to increase by approximately 30–35%.

At the same time, existing hotel facilities will be upgraded.

Increasing the number of available rooms will allow the island to accommodate more tourists during major events and peak seasonal demand, while also supporting the continued development of Yas Island as a standalone tourist destination.

These investments are separate from the future Disney project.

Miral emphasized that the new five-year program does not include costs for the previously announced Disney project on Yas Island.

Thus, more than 12 billion dirhams will be directed specifically toward developing the island's existing tourism ecosystem, creating additional entertainment options, and expanding hotel capacity.

This means that the Yas Island investment cycle will continue in parallel with the implementation of new major international projects.

Yas Island hotel occupancy has reached 92%

Infrastructure expansion is taking place against a backdrop of high occupancy rates at existing facilities.

According to Miral, in August, hotel occupancy on Yas Island reached 92%, which is one of the highest figures in the destination's history.

High demand is also being seen in the entertainment sector.

Although annual pass sales were intentionally limited this year, the number of passes still increased by approximately 20% compared to the previous year.

This trend demonstrates sustained interest in the island's entertainment infrastructure from both tourists and UAE residents.

India remains one of the largest tourism markets

India remains one of the key international markets for Yas Island.

According to Miral, in 2025, the company's facilities were visited by approximately 1 million tourists from India.

Annual growth in this sector reached approximately 20–25%.

To engage with the Indian market, the company employs a comprehensive approach that includes partnerships with local firms and targeted marketing campaigns.

Furthermore, Yas Island sees a significant influx of tourists from Russia among its international visitors.

The expansion of hotel offerings and the launch of new attractions allow Miral to anticipate continued growth in international tourism over the coming years.

Yas Island is a major tourism hub for Abu Dhabi

One of the island's key advantages remains its high concentration of tourism infrastructure.

According to Miral representatives, four theme parks and five museums are located within approximately 15 minutes of each other.

Yas Island is also just minutes away from Zayed International Airport, which enhances its accessibility for international travelers.

An additional advantage is its proximity to Al Bateen Executive Airport, which is about a 30-minute drive away.

This concentration of tourist attractions allows guests to combine entertainment, cultural activities, shopping, and accommodation all within a single destination.

What the development of Yas Island means for Abu Dhabi real estate

Large-scale investments in tourism, hospitality infrastructure, and entertainment can have a broader impact on the surrounding real estate market.

The development of tourist facilities is typically accompanied by job creation, an increase in visitor numbers, the expansion of the service sector, and infrastructure improvements.

For residential real estate, this can sustain demand from professionals working in the tourism, hospitality, and entertainment industries, as well as buyers looking for properties in areas with well-developed infrastructure and high international recognition.

At the same time, the investment appeal of a specific property depends on more than just the development of Yas Island as a whole. When purchasing real estate, it is essential to consider the project's location, completion status, construction quality, future supply volume, ownership terms, and potential rental demand.

Yas Island continues to strengthen its role in Abu Dhabi's tourism economy

An investment program worth over AED 12 billion signals that the development of Yas Island is entering a new phase.

Over the next five years, the island is set to gain additional hotel capacity, new entertainment options, and upgraded tourist facilities.

For Abu Dhabi, this means further strengthening tourism infrastructure, creating jobs, and expanding economic activity around one of the emirate's most well-known leisure destinations.

For the real estate market, the development of such large clusters is particularly important in the long term: the more jobs, tourist traffic, and urban infrastructure that emerge in an area, the broader the potential demand for housing and related commercial properties becomes.