Abu Dhabi's Yas Island becomes the world's second most-visited themed entertainment complex

According to recently disclosed data, Yas Island in Abu Dhabi is the second most visited themed entertainment complex in the world, drawing more visitors last year than the two theme parks at Disneyland in California combined.

At this year's Arabian Travel Market, Yas Island's operator Miral reported that the island received 34 million visitors last year. According to the most recent Global Attractions Attendance report from the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA), Disneyland, which was founded by Walt Disney himself in 1955, and California Adventure theme park, which opened 46 years later, together drew 27.3 million visitors.

The result of a well-thought-out expansion strategy created by Mohamed Al Zaabi, the CEO of Miral, the total for Yas Island was up 38% from the year before. It started in 2010 when Ferrari World Abu Dhabi opened, and its popularity grew quickly because of its array of exhilarating rides, such as Formula Rossa, the fastest roller coaster in the world.