Mideast hotel unveils $14m Christmas tree

Published: 12:17PM Friday December 17, 2010 Source: ONE News

The Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi is boasting the world's most expensive Christmas tree.

While the Guinness World Records have yet to certify it as fact, there is no doubt that the jewel-encrusted tree, worth over $14 million, is a strong contender for the title.

Items of jewellery like bracelets, necklaces and watches studded with 181 diamonds, pearls, emeralds, sapphires and other precious stones are draped on the 13-metre tree's branches, along with more traditional baubles and lights, according to the BBC.

The idea for the tree was hatched by the hotel's marketing department, according to general manager Hans Olbertz, who said that the hotel always had a tree put up during Christmas time, but wanted something "different" this year.
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Previous publicity-seeking efforts by the hotel include the creation of a $1.3 million Valentine's Day package and the installation of the world's first gold vending machine.

While Islam is the official religion of the emirate and the rest of the UAE and the majority of its residents Muslims, Christmas is celebrated by both Christians and non-Christians alike.