Dubai is gearing up for a Las‑Vegas‑style resort island: what tourists can expect by 2028
By 2028 Dubai will host an artificial island with MGM Grand, Bellagio and Aria hotels, and operators are already offering discounts on trips to the UAE. How the new project reshapes the tourism landscape and what deals are on the table today?
New resort island: “Las Vegas” off Umm Sukaym
Dubai has been preparing for the opening of three world‑famous hotels for several years now. On the artificial The Island by Wasl, a little over ten hectares in size, MGM Grand, Bellagio and Aria will take up residence – all owned by MGM Resorts International. The first doors are slated to swing open in the third quarter of 2028, a date confirmed both in the company’s shareholder report and in the contract with the cooling‑systems supplier.
Scale and infrastructure
The three towers together will offer roughly 1,500 rooms, apartments and villas. The island won’t be just a place to sleep: plans call for a 110‑metre entertainment tower, an 800‑seat theatre, several indoor and outdoor pools, a beach club and a promenade stretching more than a kilometre, lined with cafés, restaurants and shops.
Each brand will keep its own visual language. Bellagio will bring a Mediterranean vibe, fountain shows and a permanent water performance by Cirque du Soleil. Aria will bet on premium gastronomy, with restaurants that could sit alongside names like Jean‑Georges. MGM Grand will focus on large‑scale events – concerts, pool parties and star‑studded shows.
Casinos – still in the shadows
Whether gambling will be part of the mix remains unclear. In 2023 the UAE set up a General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority, which is drafting the legal framework for lotteries and casinos. MGM has already applied for a licence in Abu Dhabi and hints in public material at the possibility of expanding its gaming business to Dubai, but no official permission has been granted yet.
Who’s building it and how much it costs
Construction is led by Chinese firm China State Construction Engineering, the biggest contractor in Dubai since 2017. The project’s estimated price tag is about $2.5 billion, with roughly $1.2 billion covering the main construction contract.
What this means for Russian tourists
Dubai has long been one of the top three overseas destinations for Russians, drawing shoppers, desert‑safari fans and beach lovers. The island‑resort slated for 2028 will add a completely new kind of holiday to the mix: entertainment that until now was only found in Nevada, now sitting on the Persian Gulf. For anyone planning a trip in the next few years, that alone makes the current operator offers worth a look.
Discounts and special conditions: how to get to the UAE right now
After a lull in package‑tour sales, bookings are slowly picking up again. Operators are rolling out a variety of promotions: free child accommodation, meal upgrades, flash sales and bonuses for guests. The lowest price for a couple starts at 115 000 RUB, making a trip more affordable than during peak season.
What such offers usually include
- Accommodation in mid‑range or upscale hotels, often with a complimentary room‑category upgrade.
- Meals – from all‑inclusive to half‑board, sometimes with extra restaurant credits.
- Transfers to and from the airport, occasionally bundled into the package.
- Extras – free access to pools, spa treatments or city tours.
How to book smartly
- Watch flash sales – they’re typically announced a few days before departure and can shave off several thousand rubles.
- Use child bonuses – many operators let you place a kid in the same room for free.
- Compare offers – prices vary depending on departure date, hotel level and included services.
Outlook: blending the old and the new
By 2028 Dubai will offer tourists the classic attractions – desert safaris, shopping malls, beaches – alongside a unique island resort with world‑renowned entertainment brands. For Russian travelers this opens the chance to pair a traditional holiday with fresh experiences without leaving the country.
If you’re planning a trip now, take advantage of the current discounts, and as the island’s opening draws nearer, slot a visit to the new project into your itinerary. That way you’ll see Dubai in both of its faces: the familiar megacity and the future entertainment hub where “Las Vegas” meets Arabian luxury.
Based on materials from: trn-news.ru, atorus.ru.
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