Dubai's Global Village has unveiled development proposals for its 2026 season, featuring a major retail expansion across 3.3 million square feet. The project includes three new zones: Agora (Mediterranean theme), SoKo (Korean culture), and Alpine (European mountain village), adding over 1,200 retail units and 350 hospitality outlets to the existing 3.5 million sqft entertainment destination. Technology upgrades will introduce cashless payment systems, AI-powered crowd management, and enhanced digital experiences. The expansion aims to increase visitor capacity by 40% from current 9 million annual guests. Construction will occur in phases from late 2024 through 2026, with all new zones opening simultaneously for the 2026-2027 season. Global Village CEO Bader Anwahi stated the expansion aligns with Dubai's Economic Agenda D33 goals to strengthen tourism infrastructure. The development will create 12,000 new jobs and feature sustainable design elements including solar-powered lighting and water recycling systems. Current attractions like the Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium and Carnaval festival rides will remain operational throughout construction.

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