IMG Worlds of Adventure, a mega-themed entertainment destination, is getting ready to welcome guests in Dubai, UAE.
It will be the world’s largest-indoor theme park, encompassing a variety of attractions and state-of-the-art rides built exclusively for the park. Whilst being temperature controlled, it will attract visitors all year round, says Lennard Otto, CEO of IMG Worlds of Adventure in an interview with TTN.
'We are very excited to be announcing the opening date very soon. All of the zones will be opened together to offer our guests an unforgettable day out,' he continues.
Spanning over 1.5 million sq ft, the theme park will consist of four international brands. Marvel and Cartoon Network will come together for the first time while it will also host exciting original concepts Lost Valley – Dinosaur Adventure and IMG Boulevard.
The theme park will take part in the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) to connect with travel trade partners from around the world and introduce it to various channels within the distribution network.
'The ATM helps us as we are also able to directly reach our source markets by partnering with tour operators. We are targeting 50 per cent tourists and 50 per cent residents and so events like these are vital to us in achieving these numbers,' says Otto.
For IMG Theme Park, a subsidiary of IMG Holding, building a theme park on this scale is the realisation of an ambition of the visionary owners, brothers Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari.
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IMG Worlds of Adventure will feature a unique array of adrenaline-pumping roller coasters, thrill rides and spine-tingling attractions based on popular Cartoon Network characters, iconic Marvel super heroes and hair-raising dinosaurs. Additionally, the park will be home to a number of world-firsts, a variety of 25 themed retail stores, 28 exclusive dining venues and a 12-screen state-of-the-art Novo cinema.
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Otto ... a variety of attractions |
Situated along Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road, IMG Worlds of Adventure is set to become a must-visit international destination.
Using state-of-the art technology, IMG Worlds of Adventure enables guests to live, breathe and enjoy the epic adventure: from spectacular rides to interacting with their favourite characters, says Otto.
'IMG Worlds of Adventure offers something completely different for its guests by providing a 360 degree themed experience. Entering a different zone is the equivalent to being transported to a different world. The F&B and retail outlets are an extension of the rides and attractions so that guests enjoy a totally futuristic adventure,' he says.
The park aims to work closely with all hotels in Dubai and is also closely aligned with the emirate’s 2020 vision for the tourism sector of achieving 20 million visitors.
IMG Worlds of Adventure is expecting 4.5 million guests during its first year of operation. An entry ticket to the park grants guests access to all four zones and so the average dwell time within the park is predicted to range between six and eight hours, says Otto.
'With the support of Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), we have worked closely together to reach both local and regional markets, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, whilst attracting the top source markets such as India and UK and growing markets such as China and the Philippines. Together, we are working to extend the visit of every visitor to Dubai, whether this is layover or a vacation, as IMG Worlds of Adventure gives them yet another reason to experience our vibrant city,' says Otto.
All the rides are being built in compliance with European safety standard EN13814, which governs the design, operation and maintenance of amusement park machinery, structures and safety. In addition, the training of the operators and the maintenance staff meets the highest international safety standards.
Otto says the company doesn’t treat the opening of other theme parks in Dubai as competition.
'We see other parks contributing to Dubai’s tourism and entertainment offering to make it the leading leisure destination in the region. The international leading model for this is Orlando, Florida, which welcomes 36 million visitors annually, boasting seven iconic parks. By 2018 there are six major parks set to open in the UAE and this is an opportunity for tourists to visit multiple parks during each visit so that the theme park themselves become the driver of footfall and tourist growth,' he concludes.
By Sree Bhat