Growing tourist numbers in the UAE necessitates exhibitions like DEAL

Dubai, UAE, March 14th, 2017: The region will witness the largest show in the amusement industry – DEAL 2017, which has come around as an effective platform for the stakeholders within the entertainment and amusement sector, as per International Expo Consults, the organisers of the DEAL 2017 show. In the wake of growing tourist numbers to the UAE and the GCC region, it is essential for shows like DEAL to bring key players including new exhibitors of the amusement and leisure industry to converge at a focal point to showcase ingenious products which can benefit the market.

With tourism contributing to the 8.5% of its GDP by the end of 2016, the UAE is tremendously investing on infrastructure projects to welcome more and more visitors as per reports. Also the Dubai Expo 2020, for example, is expected to bring 25 million visitors, 70% of whom will come from abroad. This is expected to boost visits to theme parks and retail malls encouraging the growth of FECs in UAE.

Commenting on the future of the theme park industry in UAE and GCC, Mary Ghawi-Tannous, Vice President, Business Development, Prologic First Software, Dubai, said “Theme park industry in the UAE and GCC region will continue to focus on providing an extravagant top notch memorable experience to its visitors. They will continue to invest in newer and enhanced technology to maintain a VIP, pain free visitor experience. The visitor will need to always have prompt access to the experience without having to stand in lines, wait to speak to a park attendant, walk to another sales desk or customer service desk to address their requests. Via their smart device, they can have it all!”

Dubai has redefined the concept by opening one of the world’s largest indoor theme parks — IMG Worlds of Adventure — and is definitely gearing towards being the ‘Orlando’ of this region. Theme parks will drive tourism, and yet visitors will also be frequenting the many malls in the city. This will automatically drive footfall towards the in-mall entertainment zones.

Putting forth his view on the future of theme park in UAE and GCC, Peter Van Bilsen, Global Sales & Marketing Director, Vekoma, commented, “The UAE has a fantastic development and increase number of visitors, which is good. The UAE has an excellent combination of good weather, beaches, theme, water parks and venues combined with fantastic hotels and food. In the GCC the tourist and theme park industry is developing at a steady pace.”

International Expo Consults (IEC), part of Falak Holding is the driving force behind the 22-year old ‘DEAL show’, which the most anticipated event of the year in the region for exhibitors and visitors in the amusement and leisure industries.

This year’s DEAL has already attracted new exhibitors from countries diverse as Canada, Taiwan, Denmark, Australia, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, New Zealand, Turkey, Slovenia, Chech Republic, North Ireland, Portugal, Kuwait, Italy, Poland and Spain. Few names like Brogent Technologies, Laservision Mega Media, JB Inflatables, Wibit Sports Gmbh, Delta Strike International, Ropes Courses, Inc. and many more are making a debut at DEAL 2017.

“DEAL has been steadily gaining popularity on all fronts and we are extremely pleased to know that almost all our previous exhibitors have come back for DEAL 2017. We have full faith that we are going in the right path and are confident that the amusement industry will yield 100 percent results. The future looks promising as amusement companies have reported a steady growth on the revenue forefront. We also are quite pleased to see new faces at DEAL 2017 and are sure that they well get to meet new contacts to expand their business,” said Mr. Sharif Rahman, CEO, IEC.

The Dubai Entertainment Amusement and Leisure (DEAL) show has shaped the region’s entertainment industry for the past two decades and it has brought together great minds and their world class innovations all under one umbrella. DEAL has led the amusement and entertainment space during this period and the testimony to this is the fact that exhibitors at DEAL 2016 have signed multi-million dollar contracts in just 3 days. Foraying into the 23rd edition, DEAL 2017 expects to witness an even larger gathering of key players and visitors in the amusement industry from Middle East, Africa, US, Mediterranean and Asian countries.

DEAL, since its inception in 1995 has developed into an unparalleled platform that gathers exhibitors, buyers, and professionals from the international amusement and entertainment industry. DEAL is the region's most anticipated and leading attraction for global and local stakeholders in the amusement and entertainment industries. The show is slated to be held from 27th - 29th March 2017 at Halls 1, 2, 3 & 4 at the iconic Dubai World Trade Centre.