With the presence of Ferrari World and the impending openings of Legoland Dubai, Motiongate Dubai and Bollywood Parks Dubai, the claim by an analyst that the region is “very under-parked” when it comes to theme parks might seem off the mark.
But Philip Shepherd, business consultancy PwC's head of leisure and hospitality for the Middle East, has a point. As he told The National, despite the boom in park construction in the UAE and its aspiration to be a world-class leisure destination, there are still no leading theme parks — such as a local Disneyland — in the region.
With three billion people within four hours flight time of Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest, and other major airports in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, rather than swamping the market with the new tranche of theme parks, the UAE is in the perfect position to secure its status as the regional destination for this sector.
This vision is not a short-term one nor based on a narrow geographic focus. If the Indian economy achieves its potential over the next decade, it will create a massive new customer base for the UAE’s theme parks – and justify the untested potential of an attraction themed around Bollywood. Similarly, a burgeoning middle class in Africa will also provide a stream of visitors to the theme parks being built now.
Mr Shepherd wisely notes the potential pitfalls that stand in the way of this country fulfilling its potential in this sector. One is the relative paucity of accommodation to suit the budgets of families. Another is the temptation for the various emirates to compete with each other for customers rather than acting in unison as a country.
In parallel with cultural destinations such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi, he envisages the UAE being like Singapore in offering something to suit almost everyone. If done wisely, this has the potential to help fulfil the government’s goal to double tourist numbers to 30 million within six years, to the benefit of everyone.
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What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
Meydan card
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 (PA) Group 1 US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm: Conditions (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,400m
7.40pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Trial (TB) $100,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,200m
8.50pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 (TB) Group 2 $350,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,900m
10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
Neil Thomson – THE BIO
Family: I am happily married to my wife Liz and we have two children together.
Favourite music: Rock music. I started at a young age due to my father’s influence. He played in an Indian rock band The Flintstones who were once asked by Apple Records to fly over to England to perform there.
Favourite book: I constantly find myself reading The Bible.
Favourite film: The Greatest Showman.
Favourite holiday destination: I love visiting Melbourne as I have family there and it’s a wonderful place. New York at Christmas is also magical.
Favourite food: I went to boarding school so I like any cuisine really.
The specs: 2019 Haval H6
Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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Where to apply
Applicants should send their completed applications - CV, covering letter, sample(s) of your work, letter of recommendation - to Nick March, Assistant Editor in Chief at The National and UAE programme administrator for the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism, by 5pm on April 30, 2020.
Please send applications to nmarch@thenational.ae and please mark the subject line as “Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism (UAE programme application)”.
The local advisory board will consider all applications and will interview a short list of candidates in Abu Dhabi in June 2020. Successful candidates will be informed before July 30, 2020.
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