UAE amusement industry to draw 45mn visitors by 2021

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Dubai / Emirates Business

Footfalls at indoor theme parks and family entertainment centers at the malls are set to increase, according to International Expo Consults (IEC), organisers of ‘DEAL 2018’ show. The Global Industry Analysts, Inc. report says the global market for amusement and theme parks is forecast to reach US$44.3 billion by 2020, driven by the recovery in leisure spending, rise in international tourism, and growth of the middle class population in emerging countries. UAE’s total amusement and entertainment market potential to reach 45 million visitors by 2021 as forecasted by PwC.
“Indoor theme parks allow the operations to take place 365 days of the year irrespective of the weather conditions. They tone down the seasonality aspect which helps to achieve a peak output at maximum levels through-out the year. Outdoor parks have the disadvantage that they cannot control – the climate. Theme parks in other parts of the world don’t have this issue but if one focuses on outdoor theme park in this region, they tend to be positioned in locales that cannot survive the regional climatic conditions. This is one of the major reasons that indoor parks have the extra benefit in this region,” stated Abdul Rahman Falaknaz, Chairman of IEC.
The GCC region is experiencing a boost in entertainment and amusement opportunities due to amusement operators and their contribution to boost tourism efforts in the GCC. The region is bracing itself for a surge in tourism as new projects and developments are being planned and in the execution phase to usher in more tourists than ever before. One of the examples includes Dubai’s much talked about theme park – IMG Worlds of Adventure. IMG Worlds of Adventure and Dubai Parks and Resorts, which opened last year in Dubai has plans to draw in millions of visitors in their first year of operations.
“Several billion-dollar theme parks were launched in 2016 and a series of amusement destinations are slated to open doors for the theme park enthusiasts by 2018,” said Sharif Rahman, CEO, IEC. Looking at GCC and especially Dubai, the opportunity is clear with a plethora of attractions set to open in the coming period. UAE has the best of both worlds, be it indoor or
outdoor theme parks, he added.

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