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The UAE has a planned investment outlay of US$51 billion in the cultural arena to spearhead positive cultural development and heritage conservation across the country including archaeological sites, museums, historic buildings, cultural landscapes and collections according to UK’s leading event organiser CMPi who have announced the launch of the Middle East Attractions, Amusements, Parks, Leisure and Entertainment International Trade Exhibition (MEAPPLE) that is scheduled to take place from 2nd to 4th February 2009 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

“The government is now taking an active role in mainstreaming culture and heritage with the aim of preserving and conserving human culture, while exposing its values and socio-cultural and educational dimensions for a better understanding and appreciation by the general public and this has opened up immense opportunities for those involved in the development, operation, management and maintenance of such attractions,” said CMPi Group Director, Chris Fountain.

Fountain highlights that a series of projects such as the Museum of Middle East Modern Art, a US$13 billion landmark project will include an amphitheatre, an exhibition hall and smaller museums displaying local and international art, as well as a shipyard for traditional dhow builders.

The US$1.9 billion Khor Dubai Cultural Project (KDCP) comprising a complex of low-rise buildings using traditional designs is another major project. It houses museums, galleries, performing arts centres, art workshops, luxury hotels and bazaars.

Together with several similar initiatives in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, heritage and culture will be a key element in transforming the UAE into a regional and global cultural destination.

Fountain adds “the launch of the Abu Dhabi Cultural Association and the Abu Dhabi Book Fair as well as the dedication of several buildings as heritage destinations in the oasis city of Al Ain are proof that culture and heritage are now being taken seriously."

Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed National Museum will be a key asset in Saadiyat Island's Cultural District proposition, which also includes the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi modern and contemporary art museum, the Louvre Abu Dhabi universal museum, a performing arts centre, maritime museum and a park with pavilions devoted to culture and the arts.

“Noticeably, the country’s amazing cultural initiatives deliver powerful messages as they create business opportunities and MEAPPLE is being launched to enable international companies to develop contacts and deliver business in this key growth market,” Mr. Fountain remarked.

MEAAPLE is a unique international trade event dedicated to the development, operation, management and maintenance of amusements, attractions, theme parks and leisure and entertainment facilities across the Middle East.

MEAAPLE offers the opportunity to influence, network, educate and build relationships with major developers, investors, retailers, senior decision makers, operators, manufacturers and suppliers in the Middle East.

The event will be co-located with two focused facilities management and development exhibitions: Working Building Middle East and Fit Out Middle East. This will enable key buyers from the development industry to source products and solutions for current and future projects in one visit, delivering you a targeted audience ready to do business.

MEAAPLE will provide a unique platform to further enhance and support the vision for attractions, amusements, theme parks and leisure and entertainment growth in the Middle East. There is demand from a wide spectrum of facilities including Culture & Arts, Heritage Villages, Theme Parks, Water Parks, Amusement Parks, Zoos & Wildlife Parks, Golf Courses, Family Entertainment Centres, Museums & Science Centres, Aquariums, Sports & Spa Clubs, Health & Fitness Clubs, Equestrian & Polo Clubs, Hotels & Resorts, Recreational & Leisure Parks, Retail & Shopping Malls and Cinemas & Multiplexes.

The dramatic pace of development in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) currently includes over 30 multi-faceted entertainment resorts and theme parks.

According to event organiser CMPi, in the years up to 2012 these developments will have a value of US$62 billion.

Paul Grinnall of CMPi advises “the UAE has shown a vision for entertainment and theme parks, along with their long-term potential for financial gain, in an insatiable entertainment and travel market."

Prominent attractions currently under development in the UAE include Warner Bros and Ferrari theme parks; Dubailand, a multi-billion dollar enclave of 24 theme parks; Universal Studios' Universal City and a Marvel Entertainment theme park.

To promote this growth, CMPi has launched a new trade show for the region's visitor attractions industry, called MEAAPLE, to be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from 2nd to 4th February 2008.

For more information go to www.meaaple.com

Image: Sheikh Zayed National Museum.

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