Dubai - The Middle East & North Africa Leisure and Attraction Council (MENALAC) – the trade association for the Middle East and North African leisure market – honoured the best industry players at the MENALAC AWARDS GALA 2022.

In its 4th edition, the MENALAC Awards 2022, the only credible leisure and entertainment awards ceremony took place at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, DIFC – Dubai, from 7 pm to 11 pm on Tuesday 29 March gathering 134 nominations across 27 awards categories that were judged by 39 industry experts.

The awards ceremony aka the Oscars of the industry was a high-profile celebration that included a welcome reception, a three-course dinner with awards ceremony and stunning show performances, with an impressive 320 leading industry professionals in attendance

Attendees were delighted to meet face-to-face in such a tremendous Gala night after surpassing the COVID restrictions, giving them the chance to mingle and enjoy the opportunity to network in person again, reconnecting with current peers while expanding their network with new connections.

The awards have gained prominence and popularity over the years, bringing a number of high-profile industry businesses to sponsor and support this industry initiative, enhancing their profile and brand visibility. Silver sponsors for the awards were Play Enterprises, Al Othaim Leisure & Tourism Co, and Bob's Space Racers, while bronze sponsors were Amusement Services International and Spree Interactive. The premium Gala dinner & reception was sponsored by Trampo Extreme and Unique Hospitality, while the afterparty event was sponsored by Whitewater and the Worldwide Zoo Consultants, allowing all victors to celebrate their victory.

Like every year, the highly coveted awards celebrated groundbreaking achievements in the leisure and attraction sector across myriad facets of the entertainment industry including cinemas, sustainability, and manufacturers with the introduction of new award categories.

Meet the winners in the different categories of the MENALAC Gala Awards 2022

The MENALAC Awards 2022 Construction Technology Awards 2021 recognised and celebrated the best-in-class in the leisure and entertainment industry.

  • BEST THEME PARK: Motiongate Dubai
  • BEST WATER PARK: Atlantis Aquaventure
  • BEST FEC:Tekzone Jeddah - Al Shaya Group
  • BEST UNIQUE VISITOR ATTRACTION:Qasr Al Watan – Farah Experiences
  • BEST EDUTAINMENT / PLAYSCAPE:Little Explorers – MAF Leisure, Entertainment & Cinemas
  • BEST SPORT / ADVENTURE-BASED ENTERTAINMENT:CLYMB Abu Dhabi, Farah Experiences
  • BEST NEW LEISURE/ENTERTAINMENT CONCEPT:Doha Oasis Quest
  • BEST CINEMA EXPERIENCE: muvi Cinemas
  • BEST DAY OUT:Atlantis Aquaventure
  • BEST SALES & MARKETING CAMPAIGN: Annual Pass Campaign – Farah Experiences
  • BEST CSR PROGRAM: muvi Cinemas CSR
  • BEST CUSTOMER LOYALTY PROGRAM:Toy Promotion- Landmark Leisure
  • BEST EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVE:For You Program - Al Hokair Group
  • MOST INNOVATIVE APPLICATION OF TECHNOLOGY:Dreamscape - Majid Al Futtaim LEC
  • BEST DESIGN FOR A LEISURE FACILITY:CLYMB Abu Dhabi, Farah Experiences
  • BEST NEW PRODUCT FOR THEME PARKS:Super Air Race (by Zamperla)
  • BEST NEW PRODUCT FOR WATER PARKS:MammothBLAST Water Coaster (by ProSlide)
  • BEST NEW PRODUCT FOR FECS: STORM™ (by TRIOTECH)
  • BEST NEW CONCEPT:HYPER RIDE (by TRIOTECH)
  • SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR:Amusement Services International LLC
  • BEST INNOVATION IN HEALTH & SAFETY: Majid Al-Futtaim Leisure, Entertainment, & Cinemas
  • BEST INDIVIDUAL SAFETY ACHIEVEMENT: Mr. Renjith Radhakrishnan, Al Othaim Leisure & Tourism Co.
  • BEST IMPACTFUL SUSTAINABILITY CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR:Atlantis Atlas Project
  • BEST ESTABLISHMENT MANAGER BELOW 250000 VISITOR/TRANSACTION: Moustafa Mohamed - Landmark Leisure
  • BEST ESTABLISHMENT MANAGER ABOVE 250000 VISITOR/TRANSACTION: Shuaeb Abduljalil Musabih - Best Park Manager, Dubai Municipality
  • LEISURE AND ENTERTAINMENT PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR: Prakash Vivekanand, Amusement Services International
  • HALL OF FAME:Prakash Vivekanand, Amusement Services International

Commenting on the Gala Awards, Mike Rigby, Chair of the MENALAC Events Committee and Executive VP, Middle East & India, Whitewater, said, ‘’The event has been a tremendous success. Overcoming many challenges, MENALAC decided to forge ahead and bring the industry together to celebrate our winners and let the industry’s positive energy and optimism triumph over past gloom.”

“We received over 134 entries and it is amazing to see some great names emerging as winners. The Middle East market is very competitive and has emphatically evolved from a being on par with the world to setting global benchmarks. The MENALAC Awards are a step in that direction thereby aiming to raise the profile of the MENA Leisure & Attractions Industry, one award at a time," he stated.

For more information about MENALAC, please visit www.menalac.org

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About MENALAC:

Established in 2014, the Middle East and North Africa Leisure and Attractions Council (MENALAC) is a not-for-profit platform representing the Leisure, Entertainment and Attractions industry in the Middle East and North Africa.

With over 530 plus operations and 200 plus brands from 22 countries in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region including Pakistan and Afghanistan, MENALAC offers great benefits to the industry as a platform for stakeholders to interact and stay informed. It has been set up under the aegis of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and the Dubai Association Centre in 2016 when leading companies within the region’s entertainment industry, including Theme Parks, Visitor Attractions, Water Parks and Family Entertainment Centres companies joined forces to form a council to support the growth and development of the industry.

The Council was established as a platform to promote safe operations, regional development, professional growth and commercial success of the amusement industry and to be an indispensable resource for the Council’s members and an international authority for the attraction industry.

Website: www.menalac.org/en
Twitter: @Menalac
LinkedIn: @Menalac

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