Exclusive insights reveal how the massive lunar resort could transform the tourism industry.
Dubai: A huge tourism project aimed at recreating the Moon on Earth is edging closer to reality, with developers unveiling plans to launch it in ten countries and draw millions of visitors each year.
In an exclusive interview with Gulf News, the co-founder of Moon World Resorts shared new details about the ambitious MOON megaproject, a sprawling lunar-themed destination planned in 10 countries.
The project, named Moon, is planned as a large-scale destination resort expected to host around 10 million visitors annually. Its centerpiece will be the world’s largest true sphere, over 300 metres tall, featuring a full-scale lunar experience that simulates the Moon’s surface and environment.
The project is designed as a global tourism platform, integrating hospitality, residential development, entertainment, and education within a single masterplan.
In an exclusive interview with Gulf News, Michael R. Henderson, co-founder of Moon World Resorts Inc., said interest in the concept has reached a pivotal stage. “We have reached a tipping point,” he stated. “We receive 1,000 job applications a week, and media coverage and global inquiries have surged dramatically.”
Ten global destinations identified
Developers have pinpointed ten countries for potential construction, including the UAE, China, Thailand, Brazil, Poland, Spain, India, Australia, Egypt, and the US.
Each development will be independently owned by regional partners, with Moon World Resorts providing design expertise and intellectual property licensing.
Henderson said the upcoming year could be pivotal. “2026 is going to be a very interesting year,” he noted. “We believe there’s a strong possibility that we may announce not just one location, but potentially multiple sites.”
He added that some markets could progress faster than others due to regulatory and investment conditions, highlighting China and the UAE as examples where projects might move ahead quickly if approvals align.
Funding model centred on private capital
Despite the project’s massive scale, Henderson says funding is unlikely to pose a major challenge, as the financial structure relies heavily on private investment and real estate sales.
The central resort alone is estimated to cost around $5 billion, excluding land, putting it on par with other large-scale tourism developments in the region.
Henderson noted strong investor interest: “If a project is logical and the numbers make sense, there are plenty of people worldwide looking for a safe return on a fixed asset,” he said. “Funding Moon is the easiest part of the exercise.”
Residential units in each development will follow an off-plan sales model, similar to other major real estate projects, allowing construction to be partially self-financed through early purchases.
Henderson emphasized that government backing is a critical prerequisite before funding can move forward, as investors typically require clear regulatory approvals and land allocation before committing capital.
“You must start with the government saying, ‘We want this project, we will fast-track approvals and allocate land,’” he said. “Once that happens, financing becomes straightforward.”
A destination built around a lunar experience
The masterplan is designed to integrate tourism, hospitality, and residential living within a single 500-acre environment.
At its core will be a giant sphere approximately 271 metres in diameter, set to be the world’s largest true spherical structure. Inside, a 4,000-room luxury hotel will anchor the complex, while an upper-level attraction will simulate the Moon’s surface and offer immersive lunar experiences.
Henderson anticipates the lunar attraction alone could draw around 2.5 million visitors annually and suggested it might also serve as a training environment for space agencies.
Surrounding the central sphere will be a variety of supporting facilities, including convention centres, wellness hubs, entertainment venues, retail spaces, and educational institutions.
Residential component drives long-term value
Beyond the resort core, the masterplan incorporates a significant residential component, with approximately 10,000 luxury units spread across multiple towers and sphere-shaped buildings, creating long-term investment and community value.
The residential zone will feature panoramic skywalks, landscaped parks, and waterfront areas, creating a vibrant live-work-play environment around the tourism destination.
Henderson emphasized that combining hospitality, residential, and commercial functions is key to ensuring long-term financial sustainability, transforming the development into a year-round destination rather than a seasonal attraction.
He projects that the first Moon project could open around 2032, depending on regulatory approvals and construction schedules.
Strong interest from investors and global markets indicates the concept is gaining momentum, although final site selections and official announcements are still pending.
If brought to fruition, the Moon developments would rank among the most ambitious tourism initiatives ever undertaken, blending large-scale real estate projects with immersive entertainment to establish a new category of global destination resorts.
