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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


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  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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Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
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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
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
Efteling expands family offer with new Hooghmoed drop tower
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
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Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
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COMPANY PROFILES
ProSlide Technology, Inc.

A former national ski team racer, ProSlide® CEO Rick Hunter’s goal has been to integrate the smoot [more...]
instantprint

We’re a Yorkshire-based online printer, founded in 2009 by Adam Carnell and James Kinsella. [more...]
Vekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V.

Vekoma Rides has a large variety of coasters and attractions. [more...]
Taylor Made Designs

Founded in 1993, Taylor Made Designs supply corporate clothing and brand-enhancing merchandise to [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
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