The UAE is straight on its way to turning into the major global international tourist destination. More than 20 million tourists will visit Dubai by 2020.
It has become possible owing to the consistent policy. The UAE will soon become the world’s theme park capital.
In this standpoint, four new theme parks will be opened by the end of 2016. Three more amusement parks will be launched by 2020.
This program is designed to revolutionise the UAE tourist sector. Besides, it will reboot the country’s leisure and entertainment market. All these activities are supported by the government and meet the UAE general development strategy.
Ferrari World
This park was opened late 2010. It is the only Ferrari-branded theme park in the world. Five rollercoasters, numerous thrill, family and children’s rides and various shows operate on the area of 86,000 square metres.
Major attraction:
- Formula Rossa — the fastest roller coaster in the world (239 km/h);
- Flying Aces — a roller coaster with the world’s tallest non-inverting loop;
- Vortex — a high speed “shuttle” coaster.
IMG Worlds of Adventure
Operating since August 2016.
The world’s largest indoor theme park includes five entertainment zones: IMG Boulevard, Cartoon Network, Marvel, Lost Valley and a Novo Cinema. More than 20 rides and attractions are located on the territory of the park.
Major attraction:
- Animatronic dinosaurs;
- Attractions and shows based on the most popular cartoon characters: Superman, Batman, Captain America, the Hulk, Iron Man, etc.
Dubai Bollywood Parks
Launch date: October 2016
An amusement park themed on the Bollywood films. Numerous themed rides and restaurants operate on the vast territory of the park. Guests are also welcomed to enjoy live performances and musical shows in the modern Rajmahal Theatre with a capacity of 850 people.
Major attraction:
- Krrish - Hero’s Flight: a 4D “flying theatre ride” themed on the 2006 Indian science fiction superhero film. Join Krrish to save the Earth from enemies’ invasion.
Motiongate
Launch date: October 2016
The Motiongate themed amusement park will offer rides, water rides, and shows based on the films from 3 largest motion picture studios: Sony Pictures Studios, DreamWorks Animation and Lionsgate. You will get an opportunity to visit shops and restaurants themed on such popular Hollywood movies as Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon, Shrek, Madagascar, etc.
Major attraction:
- The Hotel Transylvania 42 metres-high and seven-minute long ride with the trackless system, covering the area of 2,800 square metres.
LEGOLAND Dubai
Launch date: October 2016
LEGOLAND Dubai amusement park welcomes all children aged 2-12 years old to enjoy time in 6 themed lands. The park will offer more than 40 rides, attractions and shows. The territory of the park will be decorated with 15000 models made from 60 million LEGO® bricks.
Major attraction:
- LEGO Kingdom — one of seven themed areas designed for young boys and girls who want to play knights and princesses.
Warner Bros.
Launch date: 2018
The Warner Bros. amusement park will offer 19 rides based on different Warner Bros. characters from Superman and Batman to Bugs Bunny and Scooby-Doo. The park will also feature multiplex cinemas and a hotel.
Major attraction:
The list of rides has not been announced yet. But we can predict that there will be different exciting attractions.
Six Flags
Launch date: 2019
It is known that Six Flags park will feature 27 attractions and rides. The park will focus on big, bad and beautiful roller coasters. All the other information is kept secret.
Major attraction:
No exact information. Large attractions are expected. Maybe they will even beat the records of other amusement parks.
20th Century Fox
Launch date: by 2020
All the rides and shows will be based on different movies produced by the Fox Corporation. The park welcomes guests and tourists to immerse into the world of characters from such movies as Night at the Museum, Ice Age, The Simpsons, etc.
Major attraction:
The major ride is promised to be based on the “Alien” movie.
Conclusion
The UAE has developed the robust and stable economy. It is characterized by a high disposable income, low unemployment and growing youth population. All these factors allow implementation of the above-listed multi-billion dollar projects.
Completion of the planned amusement parks will attract millions of tourists. The UAE has the entire necessary infrastructure including more than 100000 hotel rooms. Moreover, this number will grow to 220000 by 2020.
Therefore, the country can become not only a major transport hub but also the global international tourist destination.
