DEAL 2018: Virtual Reality & Active Entertainment – Trends from Dubai
Die Trendthemen der DEAL 2018 sind Virtual Reality und Active Entertainment.
Today is the last day of the Dubai Entertainment, Amusement & Leisure Show (DEAL), annually hold at the Dubai World Trade Centre. According to official figures, nearly 315 exhibitors from more than 40 countries are presenting their latest product developments and innovations at the show this year. The organizer International Expo Consults LLC (IEC) marks Virtual Reality and the so-called “active entertainment” as the two main fields of interest of park operators and investors in Dubai this year.
Damien Lathman, CEO of Emaar Entertainment (an arm of Dubai-based Emaar Properties), commented, “Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality are rapidly gaining in popularity around the world, with the immersive technologies transporting users to another world and providing unique and exhilarating experiences that have been the focus of Emaar Entertainment’s VR Park […],” said Lathman. Read more about Dubai’s first VR Park in our EAP news from March 1st, 2018.
Sharif Rahman, CEO of IEC, added, “The other big draw at DEAL 2018 is active entertainment-based providers. People are becoming more concerned with leading a healthy lifestyle, and extreme and alternative sport activities are more attractive than ever. Entertainment is no longer just about going to the movie theatre – it’s about doing something engaging and exciting. It’s no surprise entertainment centers are looking to diversify, particularly to active entertainment. The same holds true for the middle east as we see trampoline parks such as Bounce, Jump Boxx, Hawa Hawa Trampoline Park (La Mer) and Flip Out and other venues such as rope courses, climbing walls, ziplines and obstacle courses opening all over the country.”
Another example for this “activity trend” is Abu Dhabi’s new CLYMB indoor activity park, which is currently under development on Yas Island. It will feature a skydiving chamber and a climbing hall and is set to go into operation this year (cf. EAP news from October 20th, 2016). (eap)
