The giant Yas Mall opened on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Wednesday of this week, marking another advance in the development plans of major FEC operator Landmark Leisure.
For the first time, the huge mall includes new brands for UAE, such as Lego. It is owned and operated by Aldar.
The location expects 20 million visitors in its first year for its 400 shops and entertainment, including a 20-screen Vox cinema and connection to the giant Ferrari World theme park, but the industry’s attention was focused on the first FunWorks from Landmark, which is aimed at "playful learning".
The edutainment concept is the first in the wide, multi-country Landmark chain of locations, best known for the Fun City brand.
Silvio Liedtke, is CEO at Landmark Leisure and the opening at Yas was sufficiently important for Liedtke to divert from the otherwise essential visit to the IAAPA trade show in Florida, which clashed with the opening.
