The UAE is slowly transforming itself into the global entertainment and leisure capital as theme park revenues in the region are expected to shoot up by 78 per cent, from $470 million in 2015 to $837 million in 2019, said a report.

According to sources, five theme parks are under development at present, including three parks within the major Dubai Parks and Resorts development: motiongate Dubai, Bollywood Parks Dubai and Legoland Dubai (2016); IMG Worlds of Adventure (2016); and Warner Bros. (2018) on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island.

Leading research firm PwC Middle East will discuss “UAE’s transformation into a world-class leisure and entertainment destination” as part of the “Mega Trends” panel at the Vision Conference in Dubai in September, a feature of The Leisure Show 2015.

Philip Shepherd, Middle East Hospitality and Leisure Leader at PwC, said: “Globally, theme parks in Europe, the Far East and the US, Orlando in particular, dominate the market. However, theme parks in the UAE have the potential to see over 18 million visits by 2021, versus Hong Kong’s 15 million, where venues including Ocean Park and Hong Kong Disneyland and have previously dominated top theme parks in the world lists. With its central global location, and excellent hospitality facilities, we predict the UAE has the potential to become a serious rival to theme park world leader Orlando by 2021.”

PwC predicts ultimate theme park success in the UAE will depend on collaborative working between the Emirates, hotels and attractions to provide a complimentary and complete offering for tourists. 

Phil Taylor, managing director of Dubai-based Team Leisure, who will also discuss “Dubai theme parks: boom or bust?” at the Vision Conference, said: “The region is also experiencing the construction of three major museums and two safari parks alongside the record-breaking Meydan One mega-project in Dubai reported to be constructing the world’s longest indoor ski slope, and a host of other world-class attractions by 2020. This is arguably the most leisure development currently underway in one location in the world and is a huge undertaking. But if anywhere in the world has the resources, vision and power to pull it off, I believe it is the UAE.”

The Vision Conference takes place from September 28 to 30 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, part of The Hotel Show and The Leisure Show, dedicated to cater to the thriving hospitality and leisure industry in the Middle East and Africa. – TradeArabia News Service