10-screen, state of the art cinema opens at City Centre Muscat

Oman's largest cinema offers more sessions, more seats and more movies

100% digital screens of which six are 3D-enabled

Introduces the VOX MAX concept, with a 16.6 metre screen and Dolby Atmos surround sound

Dubai, UAE, June 2, 2014 - VOX Cinemas, the cinema arm of Majid Al Futtaim, opens the largest cinema in Oman, ushering in a new era of cinematic excellence and bringing a truly immersive movie-going experience unlike anything ever seen before.  VOX Cinemas made its impressive debut in the Sultanate with the opening of its 10-screen state-of-the-art cinema at City Centre Muscat today, with an official launch press conference hosted by Michelle Walsh, Regional Marketing Director at Majid Al Futtaim - Cinemas and Husam Al Mandhari, Senior Mall Manager from City Centre Muscat.

"Bringing VOX Cinemas to the Sultanate of Oman is part of our ongoing mission to enter new expanding markets with the most advanced and innovative forms of cinema entertainment, allowing our guests to enjoy the latest that Hollywood, Bollywood and Arab film industries have to offer. Our goal is to create modern, exciting and unique entertainment destinations and with the grand opening of VOX Cinemas at City Centre Muscat, we are pleased to bring Omani residents a superior movie-experience," said Michelle Walsh.

"City Centre Muscat has achieved another milestone with the successful and timely completion of phase one of its redevelopment. VOX Cinemas, the largest cinema in the Sultanate is a significant enhancement to the mall's leisure and lifestyle offer, which also includes a newly

modernised Magic Planet and a refurbished dining area. As a key landmark and social meeting point, City Centre Muscat presents an unmatched offer of family entertainment, boosted by a world-class cinema," added Husam Al Mandhari.

With 10 fully digital screens, VOX Cinemas offers Omani residents more daily movie sessions, more movie releases and more flexible timings than any other cinema in the market. Movie goers will also be spoiled for choice, with the convenience to choose how they want to watch their favourite blockbusters - in Standard 2D, with spacious VIP seating, with added dimension in VOX 3D or opt for the biggest, most immersive experience ever to be introduced to Oman - the VOX MAX experience. 

VOX MAX is a mega-screen concept first launched by VOX Cinemas in the UAE in 2011, and it is one of the most popular movie-going experiences by customers today, presenting movies the way directors intended them to be watched - on huge screens, with crisp, digital imagery supported by state-of-the-art surround sound technology and comfortable seating.  

Bringing an even more realistic experience, VOX MAX in City Centre Muscat is the first cinema in Oman to boast Dolby Atmos sound, an innovative surround sound technology which delivers a more natural and realistic sound field. VOX MAX will transport Omani audiences into the movie with the ultimate in sound and visuals with the best and biggest blockbusters screened across a 16.6 metre mega-screen.

"Our expanding list of exclusive points of difference, such as our big screen VOX MAX concept, is resonating well with our guests. Guests will be able to enjoy traditional cinema experiences on every visit and offering different, newer and more innovative premium cinema concepts allows our guests to choose how they wish to customise their experience for every visit. The fact that we will be able to offer these choices in some fantastic new locations bolsters our continuing commitment to providing premium cinema-going experiences across the MENA region," added Ms. Walsh.

In time for the summer blockbuster season, VOX Cinemas at City Centre Muscat is currently screening the Hollywood hits: How to Train Your Dragon 2, X-Men: Days of Future Past; Bollywood films: Heropanti and Samrat & Co and Arabic films such as Sun Dress with a steady line-up of upcoming summer and Eid releases such as Transformers: Age of Extinction, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and 22 Jump Street. Booking a ticket in advance is made easier than ever for those who are connected, with VOX Cinemas' exclusive mobile apps in addition to flexible ticketing options via the box office, on the VOX Cinemas website or using the onsite ticketing kiosks.

Traditional cinema fare also takes on a new twist at VOX Cinemas, City Centre Muscat with the candybar featuring a restaurant-style menu that includes crepes, sandwiches, french fries, salads, gourmet popcorn, muffins and beverages such as coffee and fresh juices. 

Anchoring the West Wing of City Centre Muscat, VOX Cinemas is adjacent to the newly renovated Magic Planet and food court dining area, creating a rounded leisure destination for the community. Following the launch of VOX Cinemas in City Centre Muscat, a 7-screen cinema is set to open later this month in City Centre Qurum.

For more information, please visit: oman.voxcinemas.com/   or https://www.facebook.com/VOXCinemasOman

About Majid Al Futtaim
Founded in 1992, Majid Al Futtaim is the leading shopping mall, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

A remarkable business success story, Majid Al Futtaim started from one man's vision to transform the face of shopping, entertainment and leisure, and to create great moments for everyone, every day. It has since grown into one of the United Arab Emirates' most respected and successful businesses spanning 12 international markets, employing over 26,000 people, and achieving the highest credit rating (BBB) among privately-held corporates in the Middle East.

Majid Al Futtaim owns and operates 17 shopping malls, 11 hotels and three mixed-use communities in MENA, with further developments underway in the region. This includes Mall of the Emirates, City Centre malls, and also 4 community malls which are in joint venture with the Government of Sharjah. It holds exclusive rights to the Carrefour franchise in 19 markets across MENA and Central Asia, operating a portfolio of over 50 hypermarkets and over 50 supermarkets in 12 countries. 

Majid Al Futtaim operates 92 VOX Cinemas screens and 17 Magic Planets across the region in addition to iconic leisure and entertainment facilities such as Ski Dubai and iFly Dubai among others. Majid Al Futtaim is parent to the consumer finance company issuing 'Najm' credit cards, a fashion retail business representing international brands such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Juicy Couture and Halston Heritage and a healthcare business. In addition, it also has a joint venture operation with Dalkia and has recently expanded into food & beverage in partnership with Gourmet Gulf.

About Majid Al Futtaim - Cinemas
VOX Cinemas is the Middle East's most innovative and customer-focused cinema experience featuring high-resolution digital projection systems, immersive digital 3D content, expansive VOX MAX screens, as well as premium VIP, VOX GOLD and value-oriented seating alternatives.  With 77 screens currently across eight locations in the UAE, 15 screens in Lebanon and 10 screens in Oman, the VOX Cinemas experience includes extensive dining choices from VOX Cafes as well as traditional candybar offers, and an extensive menu attached to their VOX GOLD ultimate cinema experience. VOX Cinemas is owned and operated by Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas, which is the cinema arm of Majid Al Futtaim. Majid Al Futtaim is the leading shopping mall, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East and North Africa.

For more information please contact The Portsmouth Group:

Nerry.toledo@theportsmouthgroup.com

Nizar.saab@theportsmoputhgroup.com

© Press Release 2014