Theme parks are pegged to contribute more than AED 5 billion to the Dubai economy

Theme parks in the UAE and GCC have an edge over their counterparts across the globe since they have adopted the latest technology and are far more innovative and creative. Theme parks are pegged to contribute more than Dh5 billion to the Dubai economy by 2020. This is good news for amusement park operators.

Lennard Otto, General Manager of IMG Worlds of Adventure, said: "Looking at Dubai, the opportunity is clear. One third of the world's population is within four hours' flying time, and two thirds within eight hours. The theme park industry is the next piece of the puzzle for delivering an all-round experience for residents and tourists alike. We are the first movers in this space."

Abdul Rahman Falaknaz, Chairman of International Expo Consults (IEC), organisers of the Deal 2016 show, said that recent developments in the region, related to entertainment and leisure, are very encouraging. "Entertainment and leisure projects within the UAE and across the GCC have boosted the confidence of the industry manifold. The growth of projects has spurred the organisation of events such as Deal within this region, bringing the industry experts and stakeholders together. Deal 2016 is set to don the mantle of the entertainment launchpad for amusement park operators in the Middle East," said Falaknaz.

On the other hand, the GCC is set to witness a boom in tourism as new projects are being planned. One of the examples includes a project in Saudi Arabia - KidzMondo Theme Park. The first branch is anticipated to begin operations in Riyadh in the first quarter of 2017, before spreading out to other major cities in the country. The KidzMondo project in Saudi Arabia entails an investment of $133 million.

Another $120 million project, Majarat Oman, to be built across 25,000sqm at Al Sawadi Beach Resort, will cater to 2,500 to 3,000 visitors a day when it begins operations.

"Indoor theme parks minimise seasonality, which allows the business to operate at its maximum levels throughout the year. This is largely because we can control that crucial factor which outdoor sites can't - the climate. If you look at the major groupings of outdoor theme parks, they tend to be located in locations that offer a temperature that is moderate - this is why the indoor park has an edge in this region," added Otto.

"Various destinations are being poised as leisure and entertainment hubs ahead of global mega events, particularly the World Expo 2020 in the UAE and the Fifa World Cup 2022 in Qatar," added Sharif Rahman, CEO, IEC.