The shortlist for the annual MENALAC Awards, the equivalent of the Oscars for the Middle East attractions industry, has been published.

MENALAC

Best Theme Park is between Farah Experiences’ Ferrari World; IMG Worlds of Adventure; Al Othaim’s Snow City in Cairo; Warner Bros World in Abu Dhabi and Trampo Extreme in Kuwait.

The only contender in the Best Water Park category is the Yas Waterworld in Abu Dhabi. The Best FEC will be contested between Fabyland at the Mall of Muscat from Al Othaim; Emaar’s VR Park, Tekzone in Kuwait by the Al Shaya Group; Xtremeland in the Mall of Qatar by Al Othaim; and Tridom by Landmark Leisure.

The Best Unique Visitor Attraction has five contenders: Ski Dubai by MAF; The Green Planet by Meeras; Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo by Emaar; Emirates Park Zoo and Resort at Qasr Al Watan by Farah Experiences and Jumble by Landmark Leisure.

The Best Edutainment/Playscape category has several contenders: Orange Wheels Kids’ Games Hall by Ideacrate Edutainment; KidZania Dubai by Emaar; Emirates Park Zoo and Resort; KidZania Jeddah by Sala Entertainment and Fun Block by Landmark Leisure.

The Best Sport/Adventure Based Entertainment category will be contested by Jumble from Landmark Leisure; Xtreme Zone in the Mall of Muscat by Al Othaim; Trampo Extreme Kuwait from Murouj Branch; Sky Zone Malga by Al Hokair and Koora Arena from Al Hokair.

The Best New Leisure/Entertainment Concept is between: Koora Arena, Splash ‘n’ Party; Xtreme Zone at The Galleria; Teen Titans Training Academy at Warner Bros Abu Dhabi; and Tekzone, Kuwait.

The Best Cinema Experience contenders are: Reel Platinum Suits by Emaar; Cinema Under the Stars by Yas Waterworld; Cinesplash by Yas Waterworld; Vox Cinemas by MAF and Roxy Cinemas by Meraas.

The Best Day Out finalists are: Yas Waterworld; Ferrari World; Warner Bros World; IMG Worlds of Adventure and Tridom.

The award for the Best Sales and Marketing is between: Find That Ferrari Feeling by Ferrari World; Play Area Membership at Fun City; Summer Says Yas Campaign by Yas Waterworld; Sparky’s Summer Raffle Draw by Al Hokair; and IMG Worlds of Adventure.

Best CSR Programme: Atta CSR Programme 2019 by Al Hokair; Fun City Pakistan; Onederland Pakistan; and Speedy Recovery by Ferrari World.

Best Customer Loyalty Programme: HSBC Entertainment and Play Area Membership by Landmark Leisure. Best Employee Engagement Initiative: Enjoy Programme by Landmark; Rayan Ahmed Agzai by Sala Entertainment; Farah Experiences, the WOW Awards and IMG Worlds of Adventure.

The Most Innovative Application of Technology: Tekzone, Al Shaya; Play Area Membership System at Landmark; and Magic Planet Wristbands by MAF.

Best Innovation in Health and Safety: Landmark Leisure; Dubai Municipality Safety Programme and Majid Al Futtaim Leisure. Best New Product for Theme Parks: Embed International; super Twister Coaster from Zamperla and Disk’O Coaster from Zamperla.

The Best New Product for FECs: Hurricane VR360 from DOF Robotics; Air Race from Zamperla; Beat Saber Dudicated VR from ASI: Halo from Warehouse of Games; and Windstarz from Zamperla. 

The Best New Concept Interior Design for a Leisure Facility: Fabyland Nakheel Mall, Al Othaim; Xtreme Zone, The Galleria, Al Othaim; Tekzone Kuwait by Al Shaya Group; and Orange Wheels Kids Games Hall by Ideacrate.

Supplier of the Year: Bob’s Space Racers; Embed International; WhiteWater; Amusement Services International; Zamperla Middle East.  Best Establishment Manager below 250,000 Visitor/Transactions: Malak Hejazi of Sala Entertainment; Alaa Ahmed at Fabyland, Al Othaim; and Rim Mhadhbi at Landmark.

Best Establishment Manager above 250,000 Visitor/Transactions: Enas Alkhateeb at Sala Entertainment; and Leisure and Entertainment Personality of the Year: Shyam Kumar Pillai of Landmark; Fahad Al Othaim; and Ilyas Abdul Wahab Galadari and Mustafa Abdul Wahab Galadari of IMG Group.

The winners will be announced on November 10, 2020.