Rami Mashini, Vice President of Sales at Dubai Holding Entertainment, stated that the company operates over 17 entertainment and tourism destinations in Dubai. These include Global Village, Coca-Cola Arena, Motiongate, LEGOLAND, Riverland, and The Green Planet, among other family-friendly attractions. The group has been working on new projects, such as the world’s first entertainment park themed around football, named Real Madrid World. Additionally, they are updating Riverland to transform it into a comprehensive family destination with a modern lifestyle, making it accessible to everyone. The venue is currently undergoing renovations to include activities such as axe throwing, go-karting, bowling, an escape room called “The Hidden Chamber,” and an indoor children’s play area known as “Neon Galaxy,” along with a Riverland Bazaar aimed at supporting small and medium local enterprises.
Despite the rising operational costs in recent years, Mashini emphasized that ticket prices have not been increased to maintain competitiveness and appeal to the local market.
This year has seen the launch of a unique destination called T-Rex Glamping, the only luxurious camping experience in the region inspired by the world of dinosaurs. The project aims to broaden the range of activities and attract visitors from diverse demographics while offering innovative entertainment experiences.
Regarding the significance of the British market and international participation, he noted that the group participates annually in major global tourism exhibitions, such as the World Travel Market in London and the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, which play a crucial role in enhancing B2B connections and marketing Dubai on an international scale. He highlighted that the British market continues to be one of the major sources of tourists to Dubai, demonstrating consistent growth year after year, which reflects the strong historical ties between the two sides.
Dubai Holding Entertainment is one of the leading providers of entertainment experiences in the region, operating more than 17 destinations and attractions including theme parks, media facilities, radio stations, outdoor billboards, and Roxy Cinemas. Notably, Coca-Cola Arena is one of the largest indoor venues in the region with a capacity of 16,000 seats and hosted over 200 international events last year. Statistics indicate that international markets contribute around 60% of total visitors, while local tourism accounts for approximately 40%, which is a significant figure considering Dubai’s population size.
Key source markets for tourists include India, the United Kingdom, CIS countries, and Gulf Cooperation Council nations, which maintain a strong presence across the group’s destinations. Global Village, in its 29th season, set a record with 10.5 million visitors, ranking among the top five entertainment destinations worldwide based on visitor numbers and activity volume.
The spokesperson expressed optimism for achieving even higher figures in the upcoming 30th season, mentioning comprehensive enhancements to the visitor experience and improvements in services and offerings at Global Village.