Two-thirds of the floor space at the 2018 DEAL trade show in Dubai, set for April 9-11, has been sold already, reports the organising company, International Expo-Consults.
The show, located in the city’s World Trade Centre, is in its 23rd year and IEC chairman Abdul Rahman Falknaz this week went on record as saying that the attractions business in the region “has matured into a comprehensive entertainment model for enthusiasts of every demographic.”
He said: “Aligning with the UAE government’s plans to make the region the preferred destination for leisure and entertainment destination, the market has evolved to adapt to the climatic cycle of the region.
“Family entertainment centres and indoor parks are instrumental in keeping the doors open year round.”
He pointed out that 17.8m tourists arrived in the Emirates last year, a number that had risen from 15.4m in 2014 - a growth rate of 7.5 per cent.
“A report suggests that spending at the theme parks based in the Emirates would rise by a factor of six times from figures in 2016 to US$637m by 2020 and amusement park revenue growth is set to increase by 78 per cent to $837m by 2019.
“The country is set to capitalise on the current family entertainment opportunities and is just as likely to boast of a commanding share of the global industry.”
Image: Visitors to the DEAL show in 2017
