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NEWS
Star Wars set in Abu Dhabi to become top tourist destination
POSTED 18 Dec 2015 . BY Tom Anstey
The Jakku scenes were shot in the Liwa desert, 200km south of Abu Dhabi
The Jakku scenes were shot in the Liwa desert, 200km south of Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is planning to piggyback off the success of the recently-released Star Wars movie, using the setting for the remote planet of Jakku from Star Wars: The Force Awakens as a prime tourist destination.

In the new movie, which was released to rave reviews, the desert planet plays a pivotal role in the franchise’s new trilogy.

UAE developer Aldar Properties PJSC and media company twofour54 collaborated with the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority to create a Star Wars-themed installation for the film’s Middle East premiere. The experience included a look at the film’s creatures, props and set pieces from Jakku, including the marketplace; models of the Jakku speeder truck and landspeeder; and an AT-AT foot.

Beyond the premiere, Abu Dhabi authorities are planning to take advantage of the part it played in bringing the film to life, with plans to use the remains of the desert sets as tourist attractions, incorporating props from the film to create a real-life Star Wars experience.

Twofour54 have confirmed that sets in the Liwa desert, 200km (124m) south of Abu Dhabi, which was the setting of Jakku, will become a tourist attraction, but further details are being kept a secret. Twofour54 are also working on an installation on the facade of Abu Dhabi's Aldar HQ circular skyscraper, transforming the building to resemble the Starkiller Base seen in the new movie.

Twofour54 are also working on an installation on the facade of Abu Dhabi's Aldar HQ circular skyscraper
Abu Dhabi authorities are planning to take advantage of the part it played in bringing the film to life
RELATED STORIES
  Star Wars attractions debut at Disney's Hollywood Studios


Hollywood Studios at Disney World Florida has debuted its new Star Wars attraction – the largest land expansion in company history – opening just ahead of the movie premiere for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which hits cinemas on 18 December.
  Discovery Times Square feeling the force with new Star Wars exhibition


Discovery Times Square has teamed with the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art (LMoNA) and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) to bring a temporary Star Wars exhibition to New York.
  C3PO actor Anthony Daniels to star at TEA's SATE conference


Anthony Daniels, the only person to appear in all seven Star Wars films where he portrayed protocol droid C3PO, is set to star at this year’s annual Storytelling Architecture Technology Experience (SATE) Conference kicks off in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania next week.
  Disney reveals plans for major Star Wars, Toy Story and Marvel-themed lands at D23 Expo


It’s been a big weekend for Disney, after the company announced details for its first Marvel attraction, a Toy Story-themed expansion at Hollywood Studios and the long- rumoured plans for a Star Wars land at two of its US theme parks.
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Montana Heritage Center opens with immersive exhibits and US$107 million investment
The Montana Historical Society has officially celebrated the opening of its new Montana Heritage Center, a US$107 million (£79 million, €92 million) destination that combines immersive storytelling with cutting-edge audiovisual technology to bring the sta
Universal launches new theme park model with Kids Resort
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San Antonio Zoo reports $283 million economic impact as expansion plans progress
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NEWS
Star Wars set in Abu Dhabi to become top tourist destination
POSTED 18 Dec 2015 . BY Tom Anstey
The Jakku scenes were shot in the Liwa desert, 200km south of Abu Dhabi
The Jakku scenes were shot in the Liwa desert, 200km south of Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is planning to piggyback off the success of the recently-released Star Wars movie, using the setting for the remote planet of Jakku from Star Wars: The Force Awakens as a prime tourist destination.

In the new movie, which was released to rave reviews, the desert planet plays a pivotal role in the franchise’s new trilogy.

UAE developer Aldar Properties PJSC and media company twofour54 collaborated with the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority to create a Star Wars-themed installation for the film’s Middle East premiere. The experience included a look at the film’s creatures, props and set pieces from Jakku, including the marketplace; models of the Jakku speeder truck and landspeeder; and an AT-AT foot.

Beyond the premiere, Abu Dhabi authorities are planning to take advantage of the part it played in bringing the film to life, with plans to use the remains of the desert sets as tourist attractions, incorporating props from the film to create a real-life Star Wars experience.

Twofour54 have confirmed that sets in the Liwa desert, 200km (124m) south of Abu Dhabi, which was the setting of Jakku, will become a tourist attraction, but further details are being kept a secret. Twofour54 are also working on an installation on the facade of Abu Dhabi's Aldar HQ circular skyscraper, transforming the building to resemble the Starkiller Base seen in the new movie.

Twofour54 are also working on an installation on the facade of Abu Dhabi's Aldar HQ circular skyscraper
Abu Dhabi authorities are planning to take advantage of the part it played in bringing the film to life
RELATED STORIES
Star Wars attractions debut at Disney's Hollywood Studios


Hollywood Studios at Disney World Florida has debuted its new Star Wars attraction – the largest land expansion in company history – opening just ahead of the movie premiere for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which hits cinemas on 18 December.
Discovery Times Square feeling the force with new Star Wars exhibition


Discovery Times Square has teamed with the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art (LMoNA) and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) to bring a temporary Star Wars exhibition to New York.
C3PO actor Anthony Daniels to star at TEA's SATE conference


Anthony Daniels, the only person to appear in all seven Star Wars films where he portrayed protocol droid C3PO, is set to star at this year’s annual Storytelling Architecture Technology Experience (SATE) Conference kicks off in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania next week.
Disney reveals plans for major Star Wars, Toy Story and Marvel-themed lands at D23 Expo


It’s been a big weekend for Disney, after the company announced details for its first Marvel attraction, a Toy Story-themed expansion at Hollywood Studios and the long- rumoured plans for a Star Wars land at two of its US theme parks.
MORE NEWS
David Rockwell creates immersive magic destination, The Hand and The Eye
A US$50 million (£44.2 million, €51.2 million) transformation of Chicago's historic McCormick Mansion has created a new destination that combines live magic, immersive theatre, dining and private membership under one roof.
Montana Heritage Center opens with immersive exhibits and US$107 million investment
The Montana Historical Society has officially celebrated the opening of its new Montana Heritage Center, a US$107 million (£79 million, €92 million) destination that combines immersive storytelling with cutting-edge audiovisual technology to bring the sta
Universal launches new theme park model with Kids Resort
Universal Destinations and Experiences has launched a new regional theme park model with the opening of Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas.
San Antonio Zoo reports $283 million economic impact as expansion plans progress
San Antonio Zoo has reported a US$283 million economic impact for 2025, following a decade- long transformation programme that has seen almost US$200 million invested into the Texas attraction.
Great Barrier Reef attraction set for AU$180 million reinvention
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COMPANY PROFILES
Painting With Light

By combining lighting, video, scenic and architectural elements, sound and special effects we tell s [more...]
Sally Corporation

Our services include: Dark ride design & build; Redevelopment of existing attractions; High-quality [more...]
TechnoAlpin Indoor

TechnoAlpin is the world leader for snowmaking systems. With the Indoor snow division, TechnoAlpin c [more...]
RMA Ltd

RMA Ltd is a one-stop global company that can design, build and produce from a greenfield site upw [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
29 Sep - 02 Oct 2026

Synergy - The Retreat Show

Pical Resort, Valamar Collection, Porec, Croatia
+ More diary  
 


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Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

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