Spending on leisure, amusement and theme parks in the Middle East and Africa to reach $609 million (Dh2.23 billion) in 2023: IAAPA The entertainment and amusement market in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will reach $1170.72 million by the turn of the decade: Renub Research While the UAE government has announced its plan to attract 40 million visitors to the country annually by 2040. With such growth outlook and increasing dynamism in the industry the MENALAC Awards will celebrate excellence in MENA leisure and entertainment across 29 categories.

Against the backdrop of robust growth outlook for the regional leisure and entertainment industry, the prestigious MENALAC Awards ceremony is set to return for its fifth edition on March 15, 2023 at the Address Skyview Hotel, Downtown Dubai. Like every year, the Awards ceremony will bring together leaders and innovators from the regional leisure and entertainment industry. As the governing body for the MENA Leisure, Entertainment and Amusement industry, the MENALAC Awards have come to be recognised as a platform built to celebrate excellence in the industry. Over the past five years, the MENALAC Awards have also become a meeting place for who’s who from the world of leisure and entertainment in the MENA region. Commenting on the MENALAC Awards, Ghassan Assi, Chairperson of the MENALAC AWARDS Committee and Chief Operating Officer of Trampo Extreme said, “The growth of the leisure and entertainment industry in the MENA region is remarkable. From the world’s tallest to the fastest, snow park in the middle of desert to building world-class entertainment in futuristic cities the MENA region has it all. What’s more, the Awards ceremony has grown and evolved substantially since its inception and is now well respected by our industry with the trophies being much coveted keepsakes.”Of these 16 award categories will be open to operators exclusively, while 6 categories will be open to manufacturers & suppliers and 6 categories will be open to both operators and manufacturers. Once the award nomination round closes, an eminent jury panel will judge the nominations against certain set criteria in each category and assign score suppliers. If anything, the increase in the number of award categories – from 27 to 29 – reflects continued growth at the already world-class leisure attractions in the MENA region. Comment on the state of the regional leisure and entertainment industry and the MENALAC Awards, Cameron Mitchell, Founder, Consult Middle East said, “The Middle East has set international standards in Out of Home Entertainment & Experiences for decades. Given the entertainment revolution that is exploding across the KSA and regionally, the ME looks assured to set the same world-class standard for decades to come. And the MENALAC Awards plays a pivotal role in recognising industry successes and celebrates industry leaders who have reached new heights, either in calibre of experience, innovation, CSR or health & safety.” https://www.menalac.org/news/fifth-menalac-awards-to-bring-together-leisure-entertainment-industry-pioneers-and-innovators/