RIYADH — Over the past few years, there has been clear change in the entertainment choices available to the average consumer. Gone are the days where rides with a painted theme on the walls were enough for the visitor. Nowadays new technology, providing a completely immersive and life-like experience, has changed the industry completely. Family Entertainment Centers (FECs) in Saudi Arabia could immensely benefit through the latest global concept being unveiled at the DEAL 2019 show this month in Dubai, UAE. Al Hokair, Main Entertainment Co., Ltd. (Woosh) and Perfect Choice from Saudi Arabia are also participating at the DEAL 2019 show.

Al Hokair Entertainment, one of the leading family entertainment organizations in the region has already firmed up plans to embark on to the VR gaming concepts both in Saudi Arabia and UAE.

According to General Authority for Statistics (GaStat), Saudi Arabia’s population registered an annual growth rate of 2.52%, which is more than double that of the global annual population growth rate. In contrast to the rest of the world, the Kingdom’s booming population is getting younger. With nearly 60 percent of the population under the age of 30, experts believe that the driving force for entertainment and leisure industry especially in the MENA region, would be experiences provided by virtual reality technology. Several DEAL 2019 exhibitors from across the globe would be showcasing a plethora of concepts that the FECs and Amusement operators to choose from.

“Technology is at the heart of WOG,” said Nabil Kassim, founder and CEO of Warehouse of Games one of the exhibitors at DEAL 2019. “All of the major FEC’s and theme parks around the world are using technology this year to give visitors that immersive feel of simulated reality and WOG has certainly kept the bar up by facilitating these FEC’s. A number of theme parks are using Artificial Intelligence in conjunction with virtual reality and augmented reality to create more immersive rides, and WOG is always keeping up to date and the technology and striving to provide its customers with a great selection of VR from top global manufacturers. It really is a great time to witness the industry flourish with these technological innovations.”

The entertainment concepts are evolving and have taken a completely new avatar with the growing popularity of virtual reality gaming concepts. Furthermore, drones and robots have also entered the fray and currently are in very high demand across FECs and indoor themeparks. Several such innovative technologies and concepts will be showcased at the upcoming DEAL 2019 show in Dubai. The growing Saudi entertainment industry will stand to benefit from the new technology and concepts being showcased in the show.

“Today, there is a massive behavioral change in millennials. They are changing their spending patterns, from markets to malls, where they can eat, socialize and get entertained at Family Entertainment Centers (FEC)s apart from shopping. Saudi Arabia is a key market for the consumption of latest gaming concepts, especially among the millennials. With this change in behavior they also need engaging and immersive experience to support their entertainment appetite. This has given rise to new gaming concepts such as VR and now they are further engaged by Robots who can serve them food and beverages,” stated Sharif Rahman, CEO of International Expo Consults (IEC), organizers of DEAL 2019.

He aded, “This is a great business opportunity for mall owners, real estate developers and other stakeholders from Saudi Arabia who are planning to launch or grow their unique projects embedded with a gaming and entertainment zones. DEAL 2019 will provide the right platform to create a win-win-win situation for the exhibitors, visitors and the end consumers who will experience these amazing concepts.”

Opening its doors for the 25th time, DEAL 2019 will represent the largest gathering of entertainment and leisure industry’s key players and visitors from the Middle East, Africa, US, Mediterranean and Asian countries. DEAL has shaped the region’s entertainment industry for the last two and a half decades and it has brought together opinion leaders and high-tech innovations all on one platform. DEAL 2019 is scheduled to be held between the March 25-27 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE. — SG