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NEWS
Star Wars set in Abu Dhabi to become top tourist destination
POSTED 18 Dec 2015 . BY Tom Anstey
The Jakku scenes were shot in the Liwa desert, 200km south of Abu Dhabi
The Jakku scenes were shot in the Liwa desert, 200km south of Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is planning to piggyback off the success of the recently-released Star Wars movie, using the setting for the remote planet of Jakku from Star Wars: The Force Awakens as a prime tourist destination.

In the new movie, which was released to rave reviews, the desert planet plays a pivotal role in the franchise’s new trilogy.

UAE developer Aldar Properties PJSC and media company twofour54 collaborated with the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority to create a Star Wars-themed installation for the film’s Middle East premiere. The experience included a look at the film’s creatures, props and set pieces from Jakku, including the marketplace; models of the Jakku speeder truck and landspeeder; and an AT-AT foot.

Beyond the premiere, Abu Dhabi authorities are planning to take advantage of the part it played in bringing the film to life, with plans to use the remains of the desert sets as tourist attractions, incorporating props from the film to create a real-life Star Wars experience.

Twofour54 have confirmed that sets in the Liwa desert, 200km (124m) south of Abu Dhabi, which was the setting of Jakku, will become a tourist attraction, but further details are being kept a secret. Twofour54 are also working on an installation on the facade of Abu Dhabi's Aldar HQ circular skyscraper, transforming the building to resemble the Starkiller Base seen in the new movie.

Twofour54 are also working on an installation on the facade of Abu Dhabi's Aldar HQ circular skyscraper
Abu Dhabi authorities are planning to take advantage of the part it played in bringing the film to life
RELATED STORIES
  Star Wars attractions debut at Disney's Hollywood Studios


Hollywood Studios at Disney World Florida has debuted its new Star Wars attraction – the largest land expansion in company history – opening just ahead of the movie premiere for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which hits cinemas on 18 December.
  Discovery Times Square feeling the force with new Star Wars exhibition


Discovery Times Square has teamed with the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art (LMoNA) and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) to bring a temporary Star Wars exhibition to New York.
  C3PO actor Anthony Daniels to star at TEA's SATE conference


Anthony Daniels, the only person to appear in all seven Star Wars films where he portrayed protocol droid C3PO, is set to star at this year’s annual Storytelling Architecture Technology Experience (SATE) Conference kicks off in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania next week.
  Disney reveals plans for major Star Wars, Toy Story and Marvel-themed lands at D23 Expo


It’s been a big weekend for Disney, after the company announced details for its first Marvel attraction, a Toy Story-themed expansion at Hollywood Studios and the long- rumoured plans for a Star Wars land at two of its US theme parks.
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Preidlhof Luxury DolceVita Resort to unveil new spa in February 2027
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ISPA launches on-demand customer experience course by Dan Gingiss
The International Spa Association (ISPA) has launched a course by customer experience expert Dan Gingiss on its iLearn platform.
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Corinthia appoints Peter Roth as president of hotel operations
Peter Roth has been appointed as Corinthia’s president of hotel operations.
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Uniting the world of spa & wellness
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News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
Star Wars set in Abu Dhabi to become top tourist destination
POSTED 18 Dec 2015 . BY Tom Anstey
The Jakku scenes were shot in the Liwa desert, 200km south of Abu Dhabi
The Jakku scenes were shot in the Liwa desert, 200km south of Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is planning to piggyback off the success of the recently-released Star Wars movie, using the setting for the remote planet of Jakku from Star Wars: The Force Awakens as a prime tourist destination.

In the new movie, which was released to rave reviews, the desert planet plays a pivotal role in the franchise’s new trilogy.

UAE developer Aldar Properties PJSC and media company twofour54 collaborated with the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority to create a Star Wars-themed installation for the film’s Middle East premiere. The experience included a look at the film’s creatures, props and set pieces from Jakku, including the marketplace; models of the Jakku speeder truck and landspeeder; and an AT-AT foot.

Beyond the premiere, Abu Dhabi authorities are planning to take advantage of the part it played in bringing the film to life, with plans to use the remains of the desert sets as tourist attractions, incorporating props from the film to create a real-life Star Wars experience.

Twofour54 have confirmed that sets in the Liwa desert, 200km (124m) south of Abu Dhabi, which was the setting of Jakku, will become a tourist attraction, but further details are being kept a secret. Twofour54 are also working on an installation on the facade of Abu Dhabi's Aldar HQ circular skyscraper, transforming the building to resemble the Starkiller Base seen in the new movie.

Twofour54 are also working on an installation on the facade of Abu Dhabi's Aldar HQ circular skyscraper
Abu Dhabi authorities are planning to take advantage of the part it played in bringing the film to life
RELATED STORIES
Star Wars attractions debut at Disney's Hollywood Studios


Hollywood Studios at Disney World Florida has debuted its new Star Wars attraction – the largest land expansion in company history – opening just ahead of the movie premiere for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which hits cinemas on 18 December.
Discovery Times Square feeling the force with new Star Wars exhibition


Discovery Times Square has teamed with the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art (LMoNA) and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) to bring a temporary Star Wars exhibition to New York.
C3PO actor Anthony Daniels to star at TEA's SATE conference


Anthony Daniels, the only person to appear in all seven Star Wars films where he portrayed protocol droid C3PO, is set to star at this year’s annual Storytelling Architecture Technology Experience (SATE) Conference kicks off in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania next week.
Disney reveals plans for major Star Wars, Toy Story and Marvel-themed lands at D23 Expo


It’s been a big weekend for Disney, after the company announced details for its first Marvel attraction, a Toy Story-themed expansion at Hollywood Studios and the long- rumoured plans for a Star Wars land at two of its US theme parks.
MORE NEWS
Preidlhof Luxury DolceVita Resort to unveil new spa in February 2027
Preidlhof Luxury DolceVita Resort, a destination resort and spa in Naturno, South Tyrol in Italy, will reveal a new spa in February 2027, which has been designed by wellness expert and consultant Patrizia Bortolin.
ISPA launches on-demand customer experience course by Dan Gingiss
The International Spa Association (ISPA) has launched a course by customer experience expert Dan Gingiss on its iLearn platform.
Virgin Active opens social wellness club in London's Mayfair
Corinthia appoints Peter Roth as president of hotel operations
Peter Roth has been appointed as Corinthia’s president of hotel operations.
Hoshino Resorts opens Kai Kusatsu as it expands the Kai onsen ryokan brand
Kai Kusatsu, an onsen ryokan property has launched in the famous Japanese hot spring destination, Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma Prefecture.
Luxury resort coming to Hunter Valley will have longevity spa
Private hotel owner and developer HVL Hotels will open a new luxury resort and tourism destination called Laval Hunter Valley in the second half of 2027 in Pokolbin, Australia.
+ More news   
 
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

HPO Tech brings design-led hyperbaric systems to the spa floor
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has moved well beyond the clinic and spa operators represent the fastest-growing market for the technology. [more...]

Zerobody Cryo: Starpool's contrast therapy solution
Contrast therapy, based on the alternation of hot and cold rituals, has become one of the most valued practices in the fields of wellness and recovery. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Unbescheiden GmbH

Unbescheiden GmbH was founded in 1869 in Baden- Baden, Germany [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
10-12 Sep 2026

ASEAN Patio Pool Spa Expo 2026

MITEC Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia, Malaysia
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
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PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
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