Exhibitors at the DEAL 2015 show with the Star Wars themed games

Africa’s amusement, entertainment and retail industry is set to benefit by participating in Dubai’s DEAL 2016 (Dubai Entertainment Amusement and Leisure) show which runs from April 19- 21 at Zabeel Halls 4, 5 and 6 in the Dubai World Trade Center

Over 300 exhibitors from 33 countries are expected to showcase cutting-edge innovations in the industry.

The DEAL 2016 show will have innovators from various parts of the world such as Belgium, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, UK, France, Turkey, and USA, apart from several countries that come to the show every year

DEAL is the largest amusement and entertainment exhibition in the Middle East and Africa region and will exhibit the latest innovations that can soon be part of the African amusement industry sector.

Compared to the global gross domestic product (GDP) average, Africa has been experiencing a rapid growth. Reports have revealed that six out of ten fastest growing economies globally are in Africa, a USD2 trillion economy.

Over 12% of the visitors from the last year’s show were from Africa.  International Expo Consults (IEC), the organizer of the event, predicts this percentage to grow exponentially due to the rapid transformation of the African themeparks and amusement sector. DEAL 2016 is set to unveil state-of-the-art innovations and is forecasted to grow by over 40% this year, a leap from last year’s 35% growth.

Sharif Rahman, CEO of IEC, believes the show will boost the entertainment and amusement sector in Africa

The show last year unveiled cutting-edge inventions including 9D park rides and augmented reality games, among other family entertainment centre (FEC) equipment.  International and regional exhibitors and visitors will converge for the annual trade show this year including a large number of African stakeholders.

Sharif Rahman, CEO of IEC, stated, “The DEAL 2016 show is forecasted to boost Africa’s industry by bringing in to their market the latest innovations in their own entertainment and amusement sector. IEC also announced that the 2016 edition of the show will be bigger than its previous editions. This event is the Middle East’s platform for international stakeholders to have a smooth transition into the region’s market and to also network with the industry leaders”.

“In every edition of the show, we are very grateful to see a successful turnout of visitors from Africa. The continent’s rising number of developments will contribute to a bigger demand of services and equipment in its industry. Each year African trade visitors travel all the way to the UAE to witness the latest trends and to meet potential suppliers for their own businesses”.

“The boom in Africa’s economy is beneficial for the amusement industry. This growth is set to increase the purchasing power of companies in Africa. A number of malls and retail centres are also under development, giving a rising demand to suppliers of the entertainment sector,” adds Sharif.

DEAL 2016 will also introduce the Amusement Operators & Franchise Showcase pavilion, which is set to host investors and decision makers in the amusement franchising industry.  This section of the show will also bring in real estate firms involved in shopping centers and mixed-use developments; theme park and FEC operators; retailers and education providers; event organizers and government figures.

The DEAL 2016 show will have innovators from various parts of the world such as Belgium, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, UK, France, Turkey, and USA, apart from several countries that come to the show every year.