The very bullish expectations of creating a new Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island have come back to reality. This from
AP:
The state developer of an ambitious cultural district in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday outlined a new timetable for the stalled project, with its first attraction — a branch of the Louvre — slated now to open in 2015.
A division of the Guggenheim will follow in 2017, which like the outpost of the French art institution will make its debut in the Emirati capital years later than originally planned.
The landmark projects on the emirate's Saadiyat Island have been hit by a series of delays since being unveiled five years ago, including an announcement last year that the government-backed developer was temporarily dropping plans to award a major construction contract.
The museums had been scheduled to start opening this year, but officials had already said that was no longer possible.
What does this mean for Abu Dhabi? Not much - just a delay in the upturn growth of tourism industry. With time on their side - and this being a long term play, there's no need to worry - unless something else goes wrong..... But these are high profile projects and since they continue to be greenlit after a government spending review, don't expect Saadiyat to be delayed much further. Abu Dhabi will be a great little spot to visit pre or post the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, no doubt.