AusLeisure

Plans for a 20th Century Fox World theme park in Dubai are on hold, with the developer voicing concern about an “oversupply” of attractions in the region.

Al Ahli Group signed a global licensing deal with Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products in 2015, allowing it to build four Fox branded theme parks anywhere outside the US.

The first one was to be a 36 hectare property in Dubai adjacent to Outlet Mall, with attractions based on Fox products, such as The Simpsons, Ice Age, Night at the Museum, Planet of the Apes and Titanic.

However, with work yet to begin on the property, Al Ahli Group Chief Exectuive Mohammed Khammas has voiced concerns over an “oversupply” of themed entertainment destinations in the region.

Speaking to Arabian Business, Khammas stated “we've realised that there’s now a serious supply of theme parks in Dubai.

“The developers have done an amazing job, and the existing offering is perfect, but right now people should stay away from developing another one, at least for the foreseeable future.”

In recent years, Dubai Parks and Resorts has invested US$2.9 billion in building Bollywood, Legoland, MotionGate, and Riverland; IMG World has launched next to Global Village, and Six Flags is expected to open in late 2019.

In addition, Abu Dhabi has Ferrari World, with Warner Bros. Abu Dhabi set to open in the middle of the year.

In the interview, Khammas also warned against the oversupply of “identikit” shopping malls in Dubai, adding “within the same stretch of highway near (in Dubai) I run into seven malls, but I can only shop in one of them.

“I understand that developers gravitate towards what seems to make the most money, but it needs to be a sustainable business over the long run.”

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