Miral’s five-year programme covers new experiences, added hotel rooms and upgrades across the island
Miral will invest more than AED 12 billion in Yas Island over the next five years, funding a pipeline of new attractions, expanded theme parks and a significantly larger hotel offering.
The programme spans tourism, entertainment and hospitality, taking in new immersive rides and experiences as well as upgrades to venues already operating on the island.
Investment sits apart from the Disney project
Miral has been clear that the AED 12 billion-plus programme is distinct from the Disney development announced earlier for Yas Island. The two represent separate streams of spending rather than a single combined figure, with the new money directed at building out the island’s existing leisure and entertainment portfolio alongside additional hospitality capacity.
More rides and more rooms
Hotel capacity on the island is expected to grow by roughly 30 to 35 per cent across the five-year period, delivered through new rooms and upgrades to the existing accommodation portfolio. Among the projects already flagged is an expansion of Yas Waterworld, set to gain 11 additional slides and attractions. Specific figures on the total number of new attractions, rooms and individual projects have not yet been disclosed.
The programme is also expected to support employment and skills development across Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector.
Density is the selling point
Al Zaabi pointed to concentration as the island’s main competitive advantage, noting that visitors can reach “four theme parks and five museums, all within 15 minutes of each other.” Connectivity reinforces that position: both Zayed International Airport and Al Bateen Executive Airport sit around half an hour away.
Strong trading underpins the spend
The investment follows a robust run of performance. Hotel occupancy on the island reached 92 per cent in August, while annual pass sales climbed 20 per cent year on year. India has emerged as a standout source market, delivering one million visitors in 2025 on annual growth of 20 to 25 per cent. Russia is building as a contributor too, with Al Zaabi saying the group expects the positive trend to continue.
The island’s theme parks also stayed open throughout recent regional disruptions — something Miral cites as evidence of the destination’s resilience.
About Henry Wiltshire International
Henry Wiltshire International is a boutique real estate agency with a long-standing presence on Yas Island, handling residential sales and leasing across the island’s communities. The team advises buyers, investors and tenants on everything from waterfront apartments to family villas, drawing on close knowledge of Yas pricing, rental performance and upcoming handovers. For more information, contact us at +971 56 484 3380.
