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The
amusement, leisure and entertainment industry in the Middle East
is estimated to be worth more than ten billion dollars,
according to regional exhibitions organiser International Expo
Consultants. This figure strips out land and construction costs,
it added.
IEC, the exhibitions arm of Dubai-based group
Falak Holding, said that the construction boom across the region
was one of the main drivers for this industry. And the UAE has
emerged as the regional hub for the recreation industry, IEC
said. As of June 2005, the UAE topped the list of GCC countries
in real estate projects under construction. Many of these
projects are mixed-use developments and bank
heavily on entertainment and leisure elements. No wonder then,
that experts forecast a 27 per cent growth every year over the
next few years for this industry. “The Pan-Arab amusement and
entertainment market is developing at an unprecedented pace with
mega projects like the three-billion -dollar Attractions and
Experience World – part of Dubailand; the Durrat al-Arus in
Saudi Arabia – the third-largest recreational city in the world;
Iceberg Towers in Bahrain, besides other recreational projects
in Oman, Qatar, Jordan, Kuwait and Lebanon,” said Abdul Rehman
Falaknaz, president, IEC, as he announced details of an upcoming
industry exhibition, the Dubai Entertainment, Amusement and
Leisure Show.
The show, the region’s largest trade event for the industry,
will take place on April 22-24 at the Dubai International
Exhibition Centre.