BERLIN - Tropical Islands is an oddity in a land that is not known for balmy weather all year round.

Located in Brand, Germany, Tropical Islands is an object of superlatives.

It is Europe's biggest tropical island resort and is notable for being the largest indoor theme park on the continent.

The resort is located on a huge abandoned Soviet airbase, which was the largest airbase outside Russia in the former East Germany.

Flush with Malaysian money

It also represents the single largest Malaysian investment in Germany.

Tanjong Plc, a group associated with tycoon Ananda Krishnan, has a 75% indirect shareholding in the project, through subsidiary Tanjong Entertainment Sdn Bhd, while another 25% is indirectly owned by Au Leisure Investments Pte Ltd, a Malaysian company based in Singapore.

The project was Colin Au's idea of transporting the tropics to Europe instead of transporting holiday makers to the tropics. Au was formerly CEO of Star Cruises.

Since it opened its doors to the public in December 19, 2004, the tropical resort has become a popular holiday destination, drawing 6,000 visitors daily, from across Europe.

Tropical Island Management GmbH CEO Ole Bested Hensing told Bernama recently the RM600mil project was a resounding success and exceeded the expectations of its backers.

Mammoth structure

Located 60km south of Berlin, the resort is housed in a massive abandoned  Soviet airbase hangar sprawled over 600 hectares.

The dome-shaped indoor theme park, which is 360 metre long, 210 wide and 107 metres high, is modelled along a tropical theme. It has rainforest trails, lagoons, beaches, water parks, tropical plants beside providing an insight into the cultural world of Asia and other tropical destinations.

Trees and plants are brought in from the rainforests of South America, Africa, Asia and Australia.

"We have the capacity to accomodate 8,000 visitors at any one time but the authorities only allow 6,000 because of specific concerns such as health.

"The dome is so huge it can fill the entire Eiffel tower and two lagoons the size of six Olympic pools," said Hensing.

The humidity within the dome is kept at between 50% and 60% and around 26 degrees Celsius to maintain  the 60,000 tropical plants which include palm trees of up to 18 metres high.

Exotic to the Europeans

European tourists to the holiday destination are usually intrigued by the mix of Indonesian, Borneo and Polynesian motif such as the Bali gate and Borneo longhouse.

Beaches and lagoons are constantly crowded with people lazing around or swimming with children screaming down the water slides.

Others prefer to trek the one kilometre jungle trail while admiring the flowing stream and Koi fish in a pond and exotic plants including creepers like keladi and hibiscus shrubs along the way.

"We do a lot of watering to control the environment. Tropical plants sometimes grow faster in winter, so we water themless then," said Hensing.

To cater to visitors inside the dome, the resort has a campsite that offers space for 900 beds and while another 12,000 beds are available at campsites, vacation homes and hotels outside the dome.

Hensing also said 1,000 apartments, 2,000 holiday homes, hotels and other facilities will be build near the dome. in future.

Admission is 25 Euros (RM125) for adults, 19.50 Euros (RM97.50) for children aged between four and 16 years old and is free for toddlers up to three years old.

Open round the clock

The resort is opened 24 hours a day and sees almost 2,000 visitors staying overnight. It has 500 employees and 100 freelance workers to support operations. 

Besides a skydiving facility, there are also 12 restaurants and five shops within the dome, selling items and handicraft found in Asia such as batik, Buddha statues and souvenirs.

Hensing said 50% of the resort's power supply comes from solar energy, while three gas-fired plants meet the rest of the resort's energy needs.

He said the resort would mark its fifth anniversary on Dec 19.

The resort has been attracting visitors from all over Europe including those from Poland, the Czech Republic and Norway.

"It was pleasant to have a partner from Malaysia during the harsh times," he said.

The resort came about following the failure of an ambitious bulk air carrier project in 2003.

The former airbase is a far cry from its past.

Today, it has become a successful resort destination that showcases in no small way the warmth and wonders of Asia.