Dubai theme parks to ride piggyback on movies

Exhibitors at the Deal 2015 show pose with Star Wars-themed characters. The popularity of movie and show franchises are expected to drive revenues to theme parks in Dubai.

The UAE is well positioned to set the benchmark for the global entertainment industry with its portfolio of theme parks that are expected to draw thousands of visitors upon their opening.
Abdul Rahman Falaknaz, chairman of International Expo Consults (IEC) and organiser of the Dubai Entertainment Amusement and Leisure (Deal) show, said the increase of theme parks based on movie franchises reflects international stakeholders' interest in the Middle East's amusement and leisure industry. Dubai's theme parks are expected to generate close to $5 billion in revenue by 2020, according to IEC.
These theme parks based on movies will also bring in a huge number of tourists to Dubai, according to the IEC. Ongoing construction of amusement attractions are in line with Dubai's vision to transform into a family tourism destination.
"There is a huge role that entertainment attractions play in Dubai's tourism sector. Our theme parks could compete with their globally renowned counterparts. Parks with movie themes are a win win for both moviemakers and stakeholders as the former need to find ways to leverage their intellectual properties to something that will still generate long-term revenue after their masterpieces have hit the big screens," said Falaknaz.
The popularity of the movie and show franchises will drive revenues to these developments. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has forecast that current and upcoming UAE amusement tourist destinations can draw about 18 million theme park visits by 2021.
Currently, there are three developments being constructed in the UAE, mostly revolving on Hollywood blockbusters: IMG Worlds of Adventure, 20th Century Fox World and Dubai Parks & Resorts.
Deal 2016 will introduce the amusement operators and franchise showcase pavilion, which is set to host visitors of various profiles such as investors and decision makers in the amusement franchising industry, real estate firms involved in shopping centres and mixed-use developments, theme park and FEC operators, retailers and education providers, event organisers and government figures.
The recently-announced 20th Century Fox World, set to open in 2018, will feature rides and attractions based on big and small screen hits such as Titanic, Ice Age, The Simpsons and Planet of the Apes.
Dubai Parks and Resorts will allocate various themed areas, including Motiongate, with 27 themed rides and attractions based on DreamWorks (Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon), Lionsgate (Hunger Games and Step Up), Sony Picture Studios (Hotel Transylvania and Zombieland), Smurfs Village and Studio Central.
Bollywood, the biggest movie producer in the world, will also be the central theme of Bollywood Parks Dubai. This theme park is set to attract Bollywood enthusiasts to the UAE, with attractions based on Bollywood's best reel hits.
"Around the globe, the most popular theme parks revolve around movie themes. Cases in point: Universal Studios and the Disney World franchises. Those who are looking to visit a family entertainment centre want something that is recognisable. Most movie enthusiasts would want to engage in something similar with a set tour, sans the green screen," added Falaknaz.
"Theme parks need not introduce characters or concepts as the ones in the movie are already familiar. The possibility of these movies being tangible or coming to life with immersive experiences and excitement are brought about by the perfect mix of hit movies with theme park rides."
- rohma@khaleejimes.com