Dubai Expo 2020, is expected to bring 25 million visitors who will also frequent theme parks and FECs in the UAE
Dubai, UAE, March 16th, 2017: Although theme parks have an edge for their leisure attractions, Family Entertainment Centres will continue to grow at a substantial rate as per International Expo Consults, the organisers of the DEAL (Dubai Entertainment Amusement and Leisure) 2017 show. The Dubai Expo 2020 is expected to bring 25 million visitors, out of which 70% will come from abroad which is expected to boost visits to theme parks and retail malls encouraging the growth of FECs in UAE. DEAL is the region's most anticipated and leading attraction for global and local stakeholders in the amusement and entertainment industry.
FECs contain multiple anchor attractions such as rides, soft-play equipment such as the plastic maze of tubes, slides and ball pits, kid’s play areas, video arcades, redemption and carnival games. More than ever, they are seamlessly integrated with the retail sector and are a must-have component for any mall. Today, given the increasing popularity of online shopping, FECs and other leisure concepts are what drive the retail sector to a large extent.
“Leisure is a versatile term and an important facet of malls as it draws the families with the kids together. Some years back it was possible for a retail mall to have its operations without an entertainment centre but not now any longer. Family Entertainment Centres (FEC) are a must have feature for every mega mall in this region. Indoor theme parks are here to stay as you are more likely to go to the mall every week than an outdoor park due to climatic conditions. This is one key component that will help grow indoor theme parks and FECs to grow at a remarkable rate in the near future,” said Mr. Sharif Rahman, CEO, IEC.
Indoor centres ideally houses more than 25,000 square feet are with elements that are bound to attract to bring the families together with their children to these outlets. These indoor centres encompasses latest family entertainment centre equipments, video games, redemption games and other innovative offerings to hold the young enthusiasts spell bound.
“Industry experts are of the view that shopping malls in the UAE are more focusing on enhancing their entertainment facilities as more and more visitors are increasingly stopping over retail malls for entertainment rather than shopping. Malls are striving to bring in new leisure attractions but they should also understand that they should enhance their existing entertainment offerings rather than getting something new. Many consumers would come to a mall for varied reasons including family entertainment and sightseeing. Retailers on the other hand are leaving no stone unturned to turn shopping into an entertainment experience and thereby increasing sales.” added Mr. Sharif.
“2017 seems to be promising for the retail and entertainment industry as operations in the leisure and amusement sector have registered an exponential growth in revenue in the current year. FECs are the main pillars that would be supporting the retail operations and developments within the Middle East and is pegged to grow at a fast pace in 2017 and beyond. Malls with FECs have registered a considerable hike in earnings in the last few months which is mainly due to the influx of tourists from other regions. FECs form the crux of the retail industry on a wider scale, as without the fusion of FECs within retail malls, the whole retail vertical would have been just another brick and mortar retail sector,” quoted Mr. Sharif.
International Expo Consults (IEC), part of Falak Holding is the driving force behind the 22-year old ‘DEAL show’, which the most anticipated event of the year in the region for exhibitors and visitors in the amusement and leisure industries.
The DEAL show has shaped the region’s entertainment industry for the past two decades and it has brought together great minds and their world class innovations all under one umbrella. DEAL has led the amusement and entertainment space during this period and the testimony to this is the fact that exhibitors at last year’s show had signed multi-million dollar contracts in just 3 days. Foraying into the 23rd edition, DEAL 2017 expects to witness an even larger gathering of key players and visitors in the amusement industry from Middle East, Africa, US, Mediterranean and Asian countries.
DEAL, since its inception in 1995 has developed into an unparalleled platform that gathers exhibitors, buyers, and professionals from the international amusement and entertainment industry. The show is slated to be held from 27th - 29th March 2017 at Halls 1, 2, 3 & 4 at the iconic Dubai World Trade Centre.
About International Expo-Consults (IEC):
International Expo-Consults LLC (IEC) is an internationally recognized trade show management company with an impressive track record of over 21 years of operations in the Middle East and Asia Pacific region. The Exhibition arm of the Dubai-based conglomerate, the Falak Holding; IEC is the organizer of key exhibitions including Sign and Graphics Imaging (SGI), and the Dubai Entertainment, Amusement and Leisure show (DEAL). Falak Holding has been an industry pioneer for the last 34 years having diversified business interests including real estate development; retail - sports, fashion, home furnishings; exhibitions, medical diagnostics, trading and many more as part of its portfolio. Falak Holding is also a key stakeholder and investor in the prestigious Dubai Sports City project. For more information on DEAL please log on to http://www.dealmiddleeastshow.com.
For further information please contact:
Prem A. Ramachandran
Managing Director
White Water Public Relations
GSM:0097150-4537253
PO. Box 18936, Dubai, UAE
Email: prem@whitewaterpr.com
Website: www.whitewaterpr.com
© Press Release 2017
