Introducing MENALAC

December 10, 2023

Attractions / Entertainment / Events / Features / Tourism /

The Middle East and North Africa Leisure & Attractions Council (MENALAC) - a non-for-profit trade council representing leisure and attractions companies in the Middle East and North Africa - has become the latest organisation to partner with Australasian Leisure Management and Asian Leisure Business.

Established in 2016 - under the aegis of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Dubai Association Centre - MENALAC has seen leading companies within the region’s entertainment industry, including theme parks, visitor attractions, waterpark and family entertainment centres join forces to promote safe operations, regional development, professional growth and commercial success of the industry and to be an indispensable resource for the Council’s members and an international authority for the attraction industry.

Vision
"To bring together operators, manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, consultants, tourism boards and Government authorities on a common platform and create a harmonized code for the Leisure & Attractions industry within the region."

MENALAC’s Aims and Objectives

To promote a safe operation, regional development, professional growth and commercial success of the amusement industry.
To be an indispensable resource for the Council’s members and an international authority for the attractions industry.
To advocate on behalf of the members among consumers, government officials and the media.
To provide market connections between buyers and suppliers through events and gatherings.
To be an allied partner with state, regional and national industry associations.
To be a credible resource for industry data and statistics.
To pursue appropriate purposes and objectives that are approved by the Board of Directors.
To provide continuing education and training in amusement facility operations.

Code of Conduct

To maintain safety as the highest priority in our business and to comply with all applicable safety standards, laws and regulations.
To conduct our businesses on the highest level of integrity, honesty and social responsibility.
To provide clean, wholesome and safe entertainment for our guests and maintain the highest standards in quality and service.

President’s Message
Mishal Al Hokair, President of MENALAC and Deputy Chief Executive of the Al Hokair Group (pictured), states “the MENA leisure and attractions industry is very dynamic and resilient and has witnessed projects evolve from ideas to icons. It makes us enormously proud to see that our regional Industry is also raising the bar with a host of exciting megaprojects underway.

“Against this backdrop, MENALAC is playing an extremely crucial role in bringing the MENA leisure, entertainment and attractions industry together.

“We aim to make our Industry not only as good as the rest of the world, but one that is setting benchmarks.

“We continually strive to elevate our Industry through the many educational, informative, networking, and celebratory initiatives and events for our members and the Industry year-round.

“We work to advocate on our members’ behalf among consumers, government officials, and the media, and we stand as a credible source of industry data. We also celebrate all member achievements - big or small - whether it’s the launch of a brand’s hundredth FEC or a game-changing megaproject, while our members play their part to further enrich the leisure, entertainment, and attractions landscape in the region.

"MENALAC is poised for great times ahead as we work to grow our footprint widely across the region and as we work towards adding greater value for our members.

“MENALAC is a rapidly growing community of 112 members from 22 countries representing 650+ operations and 250+ entertainment brands that serve the MENA leisure and attractions industry, and we are committed to further enriching our Industry’s offering and bringing incredible value to our members.”

MENALAC Events
MENALAC events bring together industry professionals, promote best practices, and foster collaboration.

They see the convergence of leading stakeholders from the industry under a single roof to address industry challenges, innovations and trends, celebrate and honour the best of the best of the regional industry while offering valuable networking opportunities to connect with peers, industry leaders, potential partners, suppliers and clients.

Each event draws a significant attendance comprising founders, owners, investors, top decision-makers, C-Level Executives and Senior Management representing leading attractions in the region.

In the coming months, MENALAC will stage the following events:

MENALAC Winter Mingle 2023 - 14th December 2023
Topgolf, Dubai

MENALAC 7th Leisure and Attractions Conference - UAE - 4th March 2024
Atlantis The Palm, Dubai

MENALAC L.E.A Safety Day 2024 - 5th March 2024
Dubai World Trade Centre

MENALAC Awards Gala 2024 - 6th March 2024
Sky View Hotel, Dubai, UAE

MENALAC Leisure and Attractions Conference - Saudi Arabia - 7th May 2024
Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

MENALAC Board Members
Mishal Al Hokair
President
Deputy Chief Executive, Al Hokair Group

Silvio Liedtke
Vice President
Chief Executive, Landmark Leisure

Dr. J.S. Datta Kumar
Treasurer
Director of Operations, Antic's Land

Kareem Fayed
General Manager Entertainment - GCC, Al Othaim Leisure & Tourism Co.

Joe Teixeira
Managing Director - Food & Beverage; Entertainment, Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas & Majid Al Futtaim Leisure & Entertainment

Sheikha Monira Al Sabah
Chief Executive, Play Enterprises & Co-Founder, Trampo Extreme

Shifa Yusuffali
Chief Executive, Ideacrate Edutainment

Alwalid Al Baltan
Founder & Chief Executive, Rafeeh Entertainment Group

Prakash Vivekanand
Founder & Managing Director, The Zone Amusement Arcade

Chris Swartz
Executive Director - Attractions (SEVEN), Saudi Entertainment Ventures

Shazad Ali Abdullah
Chief Executive, Cheeky Monkeys Playland

Rajiv Sangari
Vice President, International Business & Special Projects, IMG Worlds of Adventure

Ghassan Assi
Chief Operating Officer, Trampo Extreme

Hind Galadari
Head - Attractions & Ticketing Operations, Expo City-Dubai

Mohammed Rashad Ahmed Alhinai
Managing Director, FunZone Oman

Mike Rigby
Executive VP, Middle East & India, WhiteWater

Davide Camaiora
Managing Director, Vivaticket

MENALAC members include the following:

Click here for more information on all aspects of MENALAC including events and membership.

3rd December 2023 - IAAPA prepares to host Middle East Trade Summit in Abu Dhabi

29th November 2023 - Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh secures rights to World Expo 2030

25th November 2023 - ATRAX aims to blend all aspects of amusement and attraction industries

17th November 2023 - AI to underpin growth of Middle East’s attractions and entertainment market

15th November 2023 - Artificial Intelligence to drive growth in global theme parks and attractions

24th October 2023 - Dubai’s Emaar group cancels community events and festivities due to ‘the current global situation’

20th October 2023 - Global attractions report shows theme parks, waterparks and museums heading towards full recovery

12th October 2023 - Ras Al Khaimah’s EarthCheck Certification a green tourism first for the Middle East

6th October 2023 - Visit Dubai and Real Madrid partnership offers fans range of activations and experiences

17th July 2023 - Merlin Entertainments Chief Executive looks at opportunities in Saudi Arabia

15th July 2023 - World’s largest wave pool and surf park set to open in Abu Dhabi before end of 2023

10th July 2023 - Abu Dhabi Government reveals plans for new island mega project to deliver luxury living and leisure opportunities

10th June 2023 - New indoor snow park opens in Abu Dhabi

24th May 2023 - SeaWorld Abu Dhabi gets official opening

19th May 2023 - Asian theme park performance recovers with revenues exceeding 2019 levels

12th May 2023 - Hasbro and SEVEN launch Transformers-themed indoor entertainment centres in Saudi Arabia

4th May 2023 - Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island names Aquaman actor Jason Momoa as its new ‘Chief Island Officer’

29th April 2022 - Dubai’s Atlantis Aquaventure and CLYMB Abu Dhabi among MENALAC 2022 award winners

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