If you think that the richest city in the world is located in the Middle East, you’d be correct. When you smugly agree with others that Dubai is the richest city in the world, you’d be incorrect. As a matter of fact, the current richest city in the world is actually Abu Dhabi. Situated only 60 miles from the ever-popular Dubai sits Abu Dhabi, often overlooking and underappreciated. However, the city isn’t going to stand for being second best to Dubai any longer.
Over the course of the next five years, Abu Dhabi city officials are spending approximately $100 billion on projects that will attract more tourists, vacationers and popularity. The roads in the city will be widen, the airport will be expanded and an extension – the only in the world – of the Louvre Museum in Paris will be constructed in Abu Dhabi measuring 258,000 square feet. A secondary location of the Guggenheim is also being planned.
What’s so appealing about Abu Dhabi is the fact that the city sits atop an island. The Corniche is the road that seems to make Abu Dhabi work. It’s situated along the water on one side and the high-rise buildings, upscale shops and luxury resorts on the other. In fact, it is said to greatly resemble Lake Shore Drive in Chicago; all luxury waterfront.
With tourist attractions that include the Emirates Palace, the Abu Dhabi Mall, and Heritage Village, there’s nothing short of pure entertainment happening here. The area attracts a number of high-end visitors who balk at the idea of staying at the Le Meridien, a resort considered luxurious by the rest of the world.
This rich city is sparing no expense ensuring that vacationers want to make it their primary destination. This already fairly new and upscale island is going to undergo a complete transformation so that it can attract the world’s wealthiest and most important people. Fortunately, they can afford to do just that.
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