Sunaina Rana / Emirates Business
The Middle East amusement industry has started turning heads since the rise of educational theme parks in the country. Fondly known as ‘Eduplays’, the edutainment platforms have attracted the interest of the international stakeholders towards the region’s entertainment and retail industry.
“The entertainment and amusement sector as a whole will boost the region’s tourism. Under this sector are the edutainment attractions. In fact, meetings on the Expo2020 vision have already covered the edutainment category, establishing the importance of this concept on the region. In addition, the rise of numerous edutainment zones in the region is in line with the region’s vision in boosting its tourism sector, positioning UAE as a family tourism destination,†Abdul Rahman Falaknaz, Chairman of IEC told Emirates Business.
According to the recent PwC (pricewaterhousecoopers) report, it has been estimated that the advancements in the upcoming UAE amusement tourist destinations is predicted to attract about 18 million theme park visits in the next five years. The Dubai Entertainment Amusement and Leisure (DEAL) Show 2016, is rated as the amusement industry’s most vital and successful trade show outside of the United States will showcase the latest innovations and concepts in theme parks and family entertainment centres (FECs). “Edutainment attractions are on the rise as parents want to make their children’s playtime more productive. Some of the edutainment attractions abroad are also eyeing on Dubai for expansion, fulfilling with UAE’s requirement for new concepts. Children in this generation are also fast learners, making them more excited for new concepts in the market,†stated Falaknaz. Falaknaz, further added that most theme parks and FECs in the region are incorporating this concept to their attractions to make a positive impact on children’s playtime, for example Menopolis, Kidzania, Doha’s Kidzmondo, Dubai Dolphinarium and Mattel! Play Town in CityWalk.
“These edutainment amusement parks challenge the critical thinking of kids, which further enhances their creativity and skills with these educational play experiences.â€
The upcoming amusement show DEAL would be displaying and highlighting the edutainment-focused theme park concepts, products and services. DEAL is considered as one of the most significant evemnt in the amusement industry across the world. It has been predicted that around 52 percent of the global visitors would be the top level management decision makers and 38 percent are second-tier decision makers.