Artificial intelligence ecosystem Multiverse Labs reportedly rolled out a new metaverse city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – an initiative the UAE said could improve the region’s tourism sector.

Specifically, the new metaverse suburban area, going by the name “Sharjahverse”, was described by Multiverse Labs as a “photorealistic, physics-accurate” metaverse that encompasses the emirate’s 1,000 square-mile surface area. 

The virtual city will enhance the local tourism sector and potentially bring about new metaverse jobs, which is in line with attempts disclosed by the neighboring emirate Dubai in early 2022.

The metaverse city received the support of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), which is the primary government agency in charge of promoting the emirate’s tourism industry. 

SCTDA’s chairman, Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, further revealed that the new project has an intention of transforming “the mass market tourism industry towards next-generation, sustainable practices.” As such, Sharjahverse is said to provide “unprecedented access to almost any location” in the emirate.

Regardless of not having similar popularity like Dubai, Sharjah is the second most populous emirate in the UAE, with approximately 1.8 million people. Via Sharjahverse, the entire emirate will be viewable to the public.

Apart from developing crypto and blockchain adoption at the emirate level, there are signs that UAE’s federal government is gearing up positive regulatory catalysts for the nation. In February, the UAE’s Securities and Commodities Authority is developing crypto licensing regulation which would make it possible for digital asset entities to set up shop in the nation.

Together with the UAE, numerous different jurisdictions throughout the globe have agreed that the Metaverse has a potential to become an economic catalyst. 

In August, Beijing’s municipal authority disclosed details of a two-year metaverse innovation plan which is in line with the Web3 development attempts of all local districts.