Emaar and Rixos reported to be involved in Turkish theme park talks

The Dubai developer Emaar Properties is said to be in talks with the Turkish hotel group Rixos to partner in a theme park project in Turkey, according to Turkish media reports.

Emaar did not confirm the talks or disclose details.

“Appropriate disclosures are made only subsequent to finalisation of any agreements,” said an Emaar spokeswoman.

Rixos, which is financing the project in Antalya, was not immediately available for comments.

Work on the theme park, according to the engineering firms involved in the project, started in 2014 and is spread over 250,000 square metres.

Called Eko Temali Theme Park, it will have features such as a dolphinarium, water slides, a sea trek aquarium, an aquarium restaurant, wave pools and lazy rivers, according to Athens-based Marine Aquarium Technology, which manufactures and installs life support systems such as aquarium filtration.

The first phase of the 1.2 billion Turkish lira (Dh1.5bn) project is expected to open in May in Belek, Antalya, according to the Daily Sabah newspaper.

Rixos has a resort on the Palm Jumeirah and Rixos Bab Al Bahar in Ras Al Khaimah. It is expected to open the 414-room Rixos the Walk in Dubai Marina this year.

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