Manama, Jan.19 (BNA): The Personal Representative of His Majesty King Hamad, President of the Supreme Council for Environment, HH Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa today announced the launch of the world’s largest underwater theme park, covering an area of over 100,000 square meters.

The eco-friendly project will be undertaken in partnership with the Supreme Council for Environment, Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), and the private sector.

The dive site will have a 70-meter long decommissioned Boeing 747 as its centerpiece, the largest aircraft ever to be submerged.

The site will provide an exceptional dive experience as it will include several structures in addition to the aircraft, such as a replica of a traditional Bahraini pearl merchant’s house, artificial coral reefs and other sculptures fabricated from eco-friendly material, all submerged to provide a safe haven for coral reef growth and a habitat for marine life.

HH Shaikh Abdullah highlighted the Kingdom’s commitment to preserving its marine habitat by incorporating the highest international environmental standards in this eco-friendly underwater project, making Bahrain a global leader in the field of ecotourism and the preservation of marine wildlife.

HH Shaikh Abdullah emphasized that the eco-friendly project will become an international tourist attraction, given its large area, location and unique experience for diving enthusiasts. HH Shaikh Abdullah further emphasized that the dive site will also provide researchers with rich information and data on marine ecology and biology and will be a major boost to the Kingdom’s eco-tourism sector.

HH Shaikh Abdullah thanked the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, the BTEA, and all official entities and private institutions that are contributing to the success of this project.

The underwater dive site will be launched in the coming weeks in partnership with the private sector, local dive companies and clubs and will open to diving enthusiasts and visitors before the summer of 2019.

AHN