Giving a global overview of a confident and expanding attractions industry, Chris Perry, Second Vice President of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) and Executive Director of Entertainment Strategy at Qiddiya Investment Company in Saudi Arabia, has this morning opened the 2025 Australian Amusement, Leisure and Recreation Association (AALARA) conference.
A globally recognised leader in the attractions and entertainment industry, Perry opened by talking through key theme park and major visitor attractions including the newly announced Disney part in Abu Dhabi, the expansion of China's Chimelong and his own Qiddiya giga project.
Perry went on to explain how artificial intelligence (AI) and technology will help personalise guest experiences, improve operations and efficiency, enable more immersive and interactive attractions, enhance marketing and revenue optimisation, and improve safety and security at attractions.
He went on to note how industries like airlines and hotels, as well as theme parks are already leveraging advanced technologies like facial recognition, AI-powered crowd monitoring and automated transactions.
With a mood of confidence, the conference is being attended by more than 120 delegates.
With the theme Back to the Future, the AALARA 20525 conference continues.
Image: Chris Perry addresses AALARA 2025. Credit: Eli Barlow.
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well, until February 2025 when she left us, caring for a little pug named Stella.
Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.
Read more from this author
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