JERUSALEM, Israel - A Disney theme park may be coming to Israel's northern port city of Haifa in the near future, media reports said this week.
Globes, Israel business news, reported that Walt Disney Company's investment arm Shamrock Holdings and the Israeli-based New Lineo Cinemas, owned by the Edery family, would build the $170 million Disney amusement park along with a 25-screen multiplex in Haifa.
"The project reflects our goal of providing quality entertainment for the people of Israel," Avi Edery, deputy CEO of New Lineo Cinemas, was quoted as telling a press conference.
A website known as FastCompany.com quoted a spokesperson for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts saying Disney has no plans for a theme park in Haifa. But local politicians, New Lineo and Israeli press reports all say the project is in the works.
The 20-acre entertainment complex, which will include cinemas, shops and the amusement park, will reportedly be completed in 2013.
"This plan expresses confidence in our plans to turn Haifa Bay [into] a thriving business area," Haifa's Mayor Yona Yahav was quoted as saying.