Global General
World's tallest tower lookout suddenly shuttered
(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-02-08 22:17
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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: The Burj Khalifa's owner said Monday the observation deck of the world's tallest tower has been unexpectedly shut down, disappointing visitors and marring the spire's reputation just a month after it opened.
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Dubai had hoped the 2,717-foot (828-meter) skyscraper would be a major tourist draw. The Middle East city-state has promoted itself worldwide by wowing visitors with over-the-top attractions such as the Burj, which juts like a silvery needle out of the desert and can be seen from miles around.
In recent weeks, thousands of tourists have lined up for the chance to buy advance tickets for viewing times often days later that cost more than $27 apiece. Now many of those would-be visitors, such as Wayne Boyes, a tourist from near Manchester, England, must get back in line for refunds.
"It's just very disappointing," said Boyes, 40, who showed up at the Burj's entrance Monday with a ticket for an afternoon time slot only to be told the viewing platform was closed.
"The tower was one of my main reasons for coming here," said Boyes.
The precise cause of the $1.5 billion Dubai skyscraper's closure remained unclear.
In a brief statement responding to questions, building owner Emaar Properties blamed the closure on "unexpected high traffic," but then suggested that electrical problems were also at fault.
"Technical issues with the power supply are being worked on by the main and subcontractors and the public will be informed upon completion," the company said, adding that it is "committed to the highest quality standards at Burj Khalifa."
Emaar did not say when the observation deck would reopen following Sunday's closure. Ticket sales agents were accepting bookings starting on Valentine's Day this Sunday, though one reached by The Associated Press could not confirm the building would reopen then.
Tourists affected by the closure are being offered the chance to rebook or receive refunds.
The shutdown comes at a sensitive time for Dubai. The city-state is facing a slump in tourism — which is responsible for nearly a fifth of the local economy — while fending off negative publicity caused by more than $80 billion in debt it is struggling to repay.
Ervin Hladnik-Milharcic, 55, a Slovenian writer planning to visit the city for the first time this month, said he hoped the Burj would reopen soon.
