The recent opening of the Dubai Dolphinarium at Creekside Park heralds the way forward for Dubai establishing itself as the new global hub of ‘edutainment’, industry experts claim.

The new Dh33 million ($8.98 million) facility, which opened in May, is the first of five elements to make up Dubai Marine World and is just one of a series of Dubai Municipality initiatives to offer the public a variety of recreational and edutainment projects, said an official spokesman.

The Dolphinarium, home to three dolphins and four seals, offers a water circus show, Dolphin therapy, Dolphin sighting excursions, and educational lectures. The facility boasts marine-themed classrooms and a multimedia library and will offer a Marine Mammal Education Centre, led by a team of specialist scientists.

“The opening of the Dubai Dolphinarium is a huge step forward in the evolution of Dubai as an edutainment hub,” said president of International Expo Consults (IEC), organisers of the annual Dubai Entertainment, Amusement & Leisure Show (Deal), Abdul Rehman Falaknaz.

“Families want more from their recreational pursuits nowadays. They want to be thrilled and entertained, but they also want to know that their children are taking something positive from the experience. Facilities such as the new dolphinarium offer the perfect balance of fun and learning,” Falaknaz added.

Other edutainment facilities under development in Dubai include the Restless Planet park, planned for City of Arabia. The park will reportedly boast the world’s largest collection of animatronics dinosaurs, as well as having an earth science museum and planetarium. The facility will open in 2010 at the gateway to Dubailand.

The Deal exhibition provides an annual platform for companies to showcase the very latest in entertainment and amusement products. Suppliers of rides, games and play equipment; water facilities; audiovisual and theatre equipment; and decorations attend the annual gathering each year.

The Middle East is considered one of the most dynamic leisure markets worldwide, with the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) tipping regional growth in leisure and tourism projects to reach $3 trillion over the next 20 years.

Deal shows have the support of the (IAAPA), the premier international trade association representing permanently situated amusement facilities and the manufacturers and suppliers that serve them globally.

Deal is also supported by the Amusement Industry Council of Europe, including Association Fabricantes Y Exp. Maquinas de la Foia de Bunyol, Associazone Nazionale Costruttori Attrezzature, Spettcoli Viaggianti; Amusement & Leisure Equipment Suppliers of the UK; American Amusement Manufacturers Assocation); International Association for the Leisure & Entertainment; India Association of Amusement Parks & Industries; and the World Waterpark Association. – TradeArabia News Service