PHOTO
25 May 2016
The temperature in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) can soar to 45 Celsius (113 Farenheit) during the summer months, but the heat and humidity won't keep people away from the giant theme parks being built across the country.
Concerns about the effect of the climate on the potential profitability of new theme parks were dismissed at an industry summit this week in Dubai.
"It is much better to be at a theme park on a hot day [in the UAE] than on a wet, cold day at Disneyland Paris," Philip Shepherd, a partner at consultancy firm PwC, said to a round of applause at the Theme Parks and Entertainment Development Summit this week in Dubai.
Climate and environmental issues formed part of a white paper published ahead of the event, but delegates in attendance argued concerns about the harsh summer climate were resolved by the indoor and air conditioned nature of much of the entertainment on offer.
"Anyone who has been to Hong Kong at any time of the year thinks the same can be done [with theme parks] here," said Shepherd. "Most of the rides at Dubai parks will be indoors."
Lennard Otto, CEO of IMG Worlds of Adventure, which is due to open on August 15 and has been billed as the world's largest indoor theme park, said the summer climate was less of a concern, but that work was being done to address the environmental impact of the building and operating of the park. "We don't want to have too big a carbon footprint," he said.
The event's white paper revealed that Dubai Parks and Resorts, scheduled to open in October, has its own onsite water treatment plant which will provide 30 percent of the park's treated water. The paper also stated that parks around the world would come under increasing pressure from users to show efforts being made to offset their environmental impact.
Douglas Trueblood, the park's director of marketing, told delegates the initial phase of the park was just the beginning thanks to the availability of land for development in the UAE. "The beautiful thing is that we have got this desert that just goes on and on and on. I can't wait for you to see the amazing things we are going to bring to you in the future," he said.
Regardless of the weather conditions, making a great first impression is the key factor to making sure guests come back for more, Shepherd said, adding that the focus had to be on quality.
"You really only get one chance with these parks and you have to make sure everyone is invested into making sure those first guests have a seamless experience. Now, with Facebook and Twitter and other social media, if it's not perfect, every detail is out there in seconds."
Philip Taylor, managing director of leisure consultants Team Leisure, said he believed Dubai had what it takes to create the good first impression Shepherd said was so vital.
"When it comes to hospitality, if anywhere can do it, Dubai can," he said. "It has that proven track record in that seamless experience from door to door."
© Zawya 2016
The temperature in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) can soar to 45 Celsius (113 Farenheit) during the summer months, but the heat and humidity won't keep people away from the giant theme parks being built across the country.
Concerns about the effect of the climate on the potential profitability of new theme parks were dismissed at an industry summit this week in Dubai.
"It is much better to be at a theme park on a hot day [in the UAE] than on a wet, cold day at Disneyland Paris," Philip Shepherd, a partner at consultancy firm PwC, said to a round of applause at the Theme Parks and Entertainment Development Summit this week in Dubai.
Climate and environmental issues formed part of a white paper published ahead of the event, but delegates in attendance argued concerns about the harsh summer climate were resolved by the indoor and air conditioned nature of much of the entertainment on offer.
"Anyone who has been to Hong Kong at any time of the year thinks the same can be done [with theme parks] here," said Shepherd. "Most of the rides at Dubai parks will be indoors."
Lennard Otto, CEO of IMG Worlds of Adventure, which is due to open on August 15 and has been billed as the world's largest indoor theme park, said the summer climate was less of a concern, but that work was being done to address the environmental impact of the building and operating of the park. "We don't want to have too big a carbon footprint," he said.
The event's white paper revealed that Dubai Parks and Resorts, scheduled to open in October, has its own onsite water treatment plant which will provide 30 percent of the park's treated water. The paper also stated that parks around the world would come under increasing pressure from users to show efforts being made to offset their environmental impact.
Douglas Trueblood, the park's director of marketing, told delegates the initial phase of the park was just the beginning thanks to the availability of land for development in the UAE. "The beautiful thing is that we have got this desert that just goes on and on and on. I can't wait for you to see the amazing things we are going to bring to you in the future," he said.
Regardless of the weather conditions, making a great first impression is the key factor to making sure guests come back for more, Shepherd said, adding that the focus had to be on quality.
"You really only get one chance with these parks and you have to make sure everyone is invested into making sure those first guests have a seamless experience. Now, with Facebook and Twitter and other social media, if it's not perfect, every detail is out there in seconds."
Philip Taylor, managing director of leisure consultants Team Leisure, said he believed Dubai had what it takes to create the good first impression Shepherd said was so vital.
"When it comes to hospitality, if anywhere can do it, Dubai can," he said. "It has that proven track record in that seamless experience from door to door."
© Zawya 2016
