Dubai Theme Parks On The Rise

With Dubai expected to see 20 million visitors by 2020, the demand for leisure activities is on the rise. Theme parks are already being built to cope with expected demand as they appeal to all ages and are viewed as an industry with high growth as a result. New theme parks within the emirate with links to media such as Legoland, Bollywood and Marvel amongst others are paving the way for an increase in tourism to the region in addition to the 25 million people who are expected to come during Expo 2020. Footfall to the region in 2015 was over 14 million and the region is broadening its leisure activities to attract younger visitors and families from around the globe.

There has already been significant investment in transport, hospitality and food and now the emphasis is on leisure and entertainment with Dubai Parks and Resorts theme park resort currently being built and due to open in October this year. This year round, Dh10.5 billion leisure development will offer a range of different themed parks for residents and visitors to enjoy including Bollywood and Hollywood inspired parks, as well as Legoland Dubai and Legoland Water Park which will be the first specifically water park in Dubai to cater for families with younger children. The resort, with over 100 rides as well as food outlets and a hotel complex is expected to attract over 6 million visitors to the tune of $650 million within the first year of business.

�More theme parks due to open this year include IMG Worlds of Adventure, featuring Marvel and Cartoon Network characters which is set to be the biggest indoor theme park globally at over 1.5 million square feet. Dubai Safari Park is also expected to open during the summer, with over 1000 animals, 350 of which are endangered species.
The theme parks are also predicted to do well due in part to the lack of competition within the Emirates and the location, which can be reached easily from Europe, Asia and other parts of the Middle East as well as the expansion of Emirates Airlines in Dubai.
�