There is currently a real buoyancy and confidence that the burgeoning theme parks industry will add value and create fantastic opportunities here in the region in many different ways – not just in boosting tourism but also in generating revenue and creating strong local employment offerings.
The Tourism Vision 2020, which was set out by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is a blueprint for Dubai to double its annual visitor numbers from 10 million in 2012 to 20 million in 2020, and increase the economic contribution of the tourism sector. Positioning Dubai as a global entertainment destination and leading family resort is a core part of this vision.
The opening of several new theme parks and family-entertainment sites such as Dubai Parks and Resorts, which opens in October 2016, will create more reasons to visit the UAE and will therefore play a key role in helping reach these targets.
A recent study by Euromonitor International suggested that theme park revenues for the UAE would reach $837m in 2019 – a significant figure. Over two-thirds of the global population live within an eight-hour flight of Dubai and we also know that record numbers of passengers are passing through Dubai International Airport, with passenger numbers expected to reach 90 million in 2018, so there is so much potential still untapped.
Last autumn the consultancy firm PwC said the UAE’s location and hotels make it well-placed to compete with other popular theme park destinations, such as Orlando, and that the UAE could see over 18 million visits to theme parks by 2021.
This is in line with our own predictions - Dubai Parks and Resorts is expecting 6.7 million ticketed visits in 2017, our first full year of operation, and we have a projected revenue of $650m.
It is this belief that the UAE can become the ultimate destination for families, thrill-seekers and fun-hunters that has supported Dubai Parks and Resorts as we aim to achieve something never done before - open three theme parks on one site simultaneously.
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