Event

DEAL 2011 (Dubai Entertainment, Amusement & Leisure Show)

Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Event Information

This is a show without comparison; in that sense it means that there isn't another show in the global calendar, which precisely fits its core product.

The DEAL Expo is these days something of a misnomer. More properly it should be called the Arabian FEC Expo, because that is precisely what it is. There aren't any arcades in the region to speak of; nor is there much of a 'street market' because there aren't any pubs. There are open-air amusement parks, of course, but they seem to be taking very much a back-seat to the great indoor emporiums called 'family entertainment centres'. So elaborate and sensational are they becoming that they are like huge, indoor, air-conditioned theme parks, but with a much greater emphasis on coin-op.

Two hundred companies, from 30 different countries, took part in the 2011 event, showcasing everything from purifying plant for water parks to plush for cranes, from kiddie rides to thrill rides. It was very much a 50-50 split between the two amusement 'sciences' and the show was better for it.

Visitors were suprisingly good on the first day but footfall appeared to be down on the second day. However, the spending power was certainly there according to the exhibitors.

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