Things were looking bleak for Dubai in 2007. Money set to be invested in projects across the UAE suddenly disappeared as the global financial crisis hit. A number of theme park projects collapsed, with billions lost in investments.
But Dubai is bouncing back, presenting itself as “Orlando 2.0” in the run-up to its 2020 Expo. Research from PwC forecasts that theme park revenues in the UAE will increase up 78 per cent by 2019, to a predicted AED3bn ($817m, £561m €724m).
The Orlando 2.0 concept centres around three major developments: IMG Worlds of Adventure, Dubai Parks and Resorts and Fox World Dubai.
Opening imminently, the colossal IMG Worlds of Adventure site will be the world’s largest indoor theme park, while the multi-park Dubai Parks and Resorts continues to expand, recently announcing plans for a Six Flags park in addition to its Bollywood, Hollywood and Legoland theme parks which are opening in 2017.
The desert landscape heats up further with 20th Century Fox World, which comes to Dubai in 2018. And that’s all in addition to the existing Ferrari World, which is also working on a major expansion.
With hotel occupancy growing and Dubai on target to attract 20 million tourists annually by 2020, the Dubai Tourism Authority sees the under-development theme parks as crucial to maintaining visitor numbers both up to and beyond the 2020 Expo.
However, with the financial crash casting a long shadow and the UAE facing uncertainties around the future of its main export – oil – is Orlando 2.0 a viable option that can take Dubai to the next level? Attractions Management talked to three theme park heads who are driving the renewed growth in the region.
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