Dubai’s entertainment industry is maturing and with names such as Sega and Aquaventure entering the market, the emirate is poised to become a world leader in the next five years, said an industry expert.

“The arrival of such an internationally renowned brand as SEGA Republic to Dubai is indication of the emirate’s continual development as an amusements hub in the region,” Abdul Rehman Falaknaz, president of International Expo-Consults (IEC), organisers of the Dubai Entertainment, Amusement and Leisure (DEAL) expo.

Deal will take place from April 25 to 27, 2010 at the new halls in Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). The show is expected to attract more than 200 companies from 30 countries, he said.

Talking about the success of the recently-opened Sega Republic at The Dubai Mall, Falaknaz said such attractions were set to catapult Dubai to the very top of the amusements industry.

Sega Republic opened at The Dubai Mall at the end of August. The 76,000 sq ft indoor theme park offers nine adrenaline-pumping attractions spread over five themed zones – Speed, Adventure, Sports, Cyberpop and Redemption.

The zones feature a variety of attractions from action packed motion-simulators to simulated sports games, classic carnival games and one of the region’s largest selections of prize-winning redemption games.

“Dubai’s entertainment product is maturing and diversifying, and with names such as Sega and Aquaventure at Atlantis entering the market, the product is truly becoming world class. What’s more, with many more developments in the pipeline, we can expect great things from the industry in the coming years,” he noted.

Amusement Services International (ASI), an established exhibitor with Deal, is the supplier behind the Sega Republic theme park.

Prakash Vivekanand, chief executive officer at ASI, said: “All the games in Sega are supplied by ASI, with several of them being first to market. These are unique rides, proprietary to Sega and only sold to Sega-branded sites.”

ASI, which is also the supplier behind the new Al Futtaim amusement centre in Mirdiff, will be launching several new lines at Deal in April.

“Deal is an important platform to connect with regional operators and developers. As one of the biggest exhibitors we endeavour to bring new products to the market every year,” Vivekanand said.

Many of the product categories now in use at Sega Republic will be showcased at Deal in April 2010, with new and innovative product lines expected to be revealed at the show, he added.

According to Falaknaz, the expo will have a new product demonstration area mainly to ensure that exhibitors and visitors get more from their Deal 2010 attendance as large-scale product demonstrations are given their own space.

'This will provide these demonstrations with a powerful platform from which to showcase their unique selling points. It will also ensure that the rest of the show floor provides an environment conducive to business,” he added.

Deal 2010 will also feature the second annual Deal Seminar Programme, which will cover a two-day workshop offering regional and international business insight.-TradeArabia News Service