“It appears that Abu Dhabi may have the most suitable land for the UAE moon; therefore, this may be our only UAE location option,” the founders said in a written interview.
The comments provide a new update on a project that has repeatedly generated speculation on social media despite having no confirmed site, government deal or regional licensee.
The project requires 2.25 million square feet
Moon World Resorts plans to grant up to 10 regional licenses covering markets including North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania and the Middle East.
The founders said the proposed UAE development would require an area measuring 1,500 meters by 1,500 meters, equal to 2.25 million square meters or 556 hectares.
Moon World Resorts said it had reached out to Aldar and other major development groups, but had yet to secure a local partner or government backing.
The founders also said they would no longer work with brokers claiming they could facilitate government presentations.
“We have been contacted by several ‘intermediaries’ saying they can connect directly with these leaders; however, to date, all have proven to be completely incompetent. We no longer accept any requests from any intermediaries.”
Government support
The company operates as a design and intellectual property licensing studio, meaning regional licensees will fund and deliver any development.
Henderson and Matthews said attracting investors was not the main obstacle. Any license process would first require confirmation that the relevant government supported the project and that suitable land was available at a viable price.
“Finding regional licensees who will fully fund Moon in all 10 regions is not a problem, Moon is the most profitable smart city master plan ever conceived,” they said.
“The point is that you can’t offer specific regions unless the regional government is fully on board and the land is available.”
The founders said they were currently focusing on a European showcase center where potential regional licensees would be invited to review the concept. Bands from the Gulf would be among the guests.
Annual contribution of 60 billion dollars
Moon World Resorts estimates that a development in the United Arab Emirates could attract 10 million visitors annually and contribute $60 billion annually to the country’s gross domestic product.
The figures are company projections and have not been independently verified.
“Based on our latest valuation estimates, Moon UAE will be the most visited tourist resort development in the entire Middle East region,” the founders said.
They described the estimated annual contribution of $60 billion as a “transformative economic contribution” to the UAE.
The development could also support 60,000 jobs, according to company estimates. This would include 30,000 direct positions, 18,000 indirect jobs and 12,000 induced roles.
Moon is designed as a large smart city development built around a spherical resort structure containing hotels, restaurants, event facilities, wellness attractions and a simulated lunar surface and base. The wider plan includes a lagoon, park and 10,000 branded residences.
The first project could open in 2027
The company is also exploring potential projects in Australia, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Poland, Spain, Thailand and the US.
“We are currently in exploratory talks with different groups representing different countries,” the founders said.
They expect the first lunar development to begin construction in 2027 and open in 2032, although they have not identified which location is most likely to go ahead first.
“We’re not limited to building one Moon development at a time. All Moon developments are nearly double; therefore, we can easily build multiple developments simultaneously.”
No construction date has been set for the UAE project and its future will depend on government approval and land availability.
Nivetha Dayanand is Assistant Business Editor at Gulf News, where she spends her days unpacking money, markets, aviation and the big changes shaping life in the Gulf. Before returning to Gulf News, she launched Finance Middle East, complete with a podcast and video series. Her reporting has taken her from breaking news to feature-length shows and high-profile interviews. Nivetha has interviewed Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed Al Saud, Indian ministers Hardeep Singh Puri and N. Chandrababu Naidu, the IMF’s Jihad Azour, and a long list of CEOs, regulators and founders who are reshaping the region’s economy. An Erasmus Mundus journalism alum, Nivetha has shared classrooms and newsrooms with journalists from more than 40 countries, which perhaps explains her weakness for data, context and a good follow-up question. When she’s away from her keyboard (AFK), you’ll most likely find her at the gym with an Eminem playlist, enjoying One Piece, or exploring games on her PS5.
