The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), the global association for the leisure and attractions industry, announced the conclusion of the Middle East Trade Summit for Attractions and Cities, held on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi in collaboration with Miral, a leader in destination development and immersive experiences in Abu Dhabi, and the Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau. The summit gathered more than 400 participants and 45 exhibiting entities, hosting a series of inspiring educational sessions over two days with 27 speakers from around the world.
The summit provided leaders in the sector from prestigious global companies with insights into innovative strategies for the development and management of attractions, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing guest satisfaction. This contributes to the continuous growth witnessed in the region’s entertainment and attractions sector. Mohammed Abdullah Al Zaabi, CEO of Miral, delivered the welcoming speech at the summit. The list of speakers included Scott O’Neill, CEO of Merlin Entertainments; Ahmed Hussein, CEO of Operations at Dubai Holding for Entertainment; Don Potts, Head of Cities and Attractions at Qiddiya Investment Company, along with many other leaders from the sector, including representatives from the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, National Aquarium Abu Dhabi – The Channel, Atlantis Resorts, Majid Al Futtaim, Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN), and many more.