The Middle East oil-rich state of Qatar has no fewer than 18 major shopping malls currently in various stages of completion, each of which will house a family entertainment centre, most containing major rides and anything from 70 coin-operated games upwards.
The small country – its population is only 1.9 million – already has eight front-line FECs, including three under the major Fun City brand, operated by Landmark Leisure from the UAE. The same company has one more major FEC planned for Qatar.
Despite the small population, most of the operators are citing the high spending power of the people in Qatar, plus its rapid rise as a tourist destination. The country surprised most in the international football community when it was named as the host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It is with that in mind, and the desire to upgrade the infrastructure, that the country is now building a metro system similar to the one now operating in Dubai.
More on Qatar’s amusement industry advances will appear in the April issue of InterGame, which will contain the Middle East Special Issue.
