UAE: Trends from the DEAL Trade Show Floor 2019: Drones, Robots & New Technologies

According to the official statement, over 300 exhibitors from close to 40 countries and “thousands of visitors” from over a hundred countries were registered during this year’s Dubai Entertainment, Amusement and Leisure (DEAL) trade show event, which was held from March 25th-27th at the Dubai World Trade Center. New developments especially in the fields of drones, robots and sophisticated technologies (including Virtual Reality and holographic projections) draw the interest of trade show visitors.

The DEAL show was also the platform for the “Leisure, Entertainment & Attractions Conference 2019”, organized by the regional industry association MENALAC (Middle East & North Africa Leisure & Attractions Council). As keynote speaker, Bill Ernest, CEO of Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN), reported on the current development of the Saudi leisure industry. Among the largest projects that are currently underway in the Arab Kingdom are the “Red Sea Project”, which envisages the development of a 28,000-square meter area along the Saudi Red Sea coast into a luxury tourist and hospitality destination, and the “NEOM” mega project, comprising the construction of a complete new city and a technology park, also in the northwestern part of the country. Both projects are part of the “Vision 2030” development plan, which is largely financed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

The next DEAL trade show will take place from March 23rd -25th, 2020. (eap)