Footfall at indoor theme parks and FECs in the UAE is set to increase according to International Expo Consults, the organisers of the DEAL trade show in Dubai, with the potential to reach 45 million visitors by 2021.
The Global Industry Analysts report said the global market for amusement and theme parks is forecast to reach US$44.3bn by 2020, driven by the recovery in leisure spending, rise in international tourism and the growth of the middle class population in surrounding countries.
Abdul Rahman Falaknaz, chairman of IEC, said: “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 throughout 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 parks 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.”
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 and more tourists.
Sharif Rahman, CEO of IEC, said: “Several billion-dollar theme parks were launched in 2016 and a series of amusement destinations are slated to open their doors by 2018. 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.”
