Indoor entertainment fuels UAE attractions boom
The UAE's indoor entertainment boom is gathering pace, with a new generation of attractions being developed as the country draws regional theme-park visitors with a growing variety of year-round leisure offerings in one destination. “The quality and diversity of attractions across the UAE continues to position the region as a leading family destination,” said Mike Rigby, Middle East & North…
The UAE's indoor entertainment sector is experiencing rapid growth, as the country attracts regional theme-park visitors with a diverse range of attractions available year-round. Mike Rigby, Middle East & North Africa vice president of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), noted that the variety of high-quality projects on offer positions the region as a leading family destination.
This expansion is evident in the recent announcements of attractions such as the Middle East's first Harry Potter-themed land, set to be an indoor, climate-controlled addition to Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, as well as Disney's upcoming Middle East theme park, Sphere Abu Dhabi, and Topgolf's expansion on Yas Island. The surge in family entertainment centres has seen their numbers more than quadruple from 76 in 2022 to 311 in 2024, with UAE attractions industry revenue reaching a record $5.4 billion in 2024, a 17.2% increase from the previous year.
Indoor attractions are particularly well-suited to the Gulf region, allowing for year-round operation and protection from the elements.
Brief written by urgent.news from The National UAE's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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