Club boss promises a new World

A Caribbean-style beach club aimed at high-flyers will be the first commercial development to open on Dubai's famous offshore island project The World, according to an executive who said he is overseeing the new venture.

After being in the headlines for the wrong reasons in recent years, as sharp falls in Dubai property prices hit developer Nakheel, bathers could be sipping sundowners on The World's Lebanon island by the end of the year, says Reza Sinnen, operations manager of what is being called 'World Island Beach Club'.

He says construction is well-advanced on the island, and has shared pictures which show structures including a restaurant and beach huts taking shape.

Sinnen says he is overseeing the project on behalf of the Lebanon island's owner, Indian entrepreneur Wakheel Ahmed.

"There are going to be so many positives for so many different people when we open it. First of all it is going to be a big project for The World project itself, because somebody can now stand up and say 'I told you it was workable'," he told 7DAYS yesterday.

Last night Nakheel declined to comment on the new claims about its flagship project.