DUBAI MAKES MIDDLE EAST'S BIGGEST WATERPARK AQUAVENTURE A WHOLE LOT BIGGER

Atlantis Aquaventure, a mega destination on Palm Jumeirah is setting sights on 2m visitors a year and much more. The Middle East's biggest water theme park is adding a lot of water - and thrills - to the visitor experience. Set to open in phases from March 1, the Atlantis Aquaventure at the Palm in Dubai has gone through the "biggest waterpark expansion in history". The numbers would suggest so - to an already massive 17 hectare, a further 5.5 hectares has been tagged on. All of that space has come in handy for a combined 79 rides - including the longest slide in the world at 450 metres plus - and attractions, 26 'marine experiences' water sports activities, and 26 F&B outlets. And there's the water too - now at 23.5 million litres compared with the pre-expansion 18 million litres. The expansion extends to the beach too - now double in size to just under 1 kilometre.