With 70 recent job cuts at Atlantis, Dubai (added to the 80 last year at Atlantis Bahamas), and more rumoured redundancies planned within the Jumeirah group we have to consider if this downturn in the economic climate will have a possible impact on the future for dolphin traders with their sights set on the Middle / Far Eastern market?

The Marine Connection has also received news regarding the planned 'Worlds of Discovery' development planned for the Crown Section of the Palm, Jabel Ali. Property developer Nakheel have announced they will be delaying commencement of construction of this project, planned in partnership with Busch Entertainment Corporation (BEC). Nakheel are financing the building and operation of the facility whilst BEC agreed to licence their 'brands' to Nakheel and operate the parks under a management contract.

Busch and Nakheel stated that they remain firmly commmitted to this project and when recently asked about the decision to delay commencement of the project, BEC Vice President Fred Jacobs commented that; "Due to the current economic climate, the project has been suspended and we will examine the situation in the coming 12 months".

Jacobs went on to say that it was difficult to predict if and when the project would be completed because of instability in global markets. “It is still too early to tell what will happen with this project,” he said. “All I can say is that we are still studying the situation and we will be able to get a clearer picture in about a year’s time.”