New Six Flags Theme Park To Open In Dubai In 2017

US-based theme park operator Six Flags Entertainment Corporation announced that it has partnered with Dubai-based Meraas Leisure and Entertainment to open a new theme park in the emirate.

The Six Flags-branded theme park is slated to open in late 2017 and will be located within Meraas’ multi-themed park project in Jebel Ali, the companies said in a joint statement.

Terms of the arrangement were not disclosed.

Jim Reid-Anderson, chairman, president and CEO of Six Flags Entertainment said: “The cornerstone of our international expansion strategy has always been finding the right partner in the right location and, with Meraas in Dubai, we have done exactly that.

“We are honored to be working with this world-class organization as the first significant strategic step taking the Six Flags brand to growing and successful markets outside North America.”

Six Flags Entertainment, which posted revenues of $1.1 billion last year, operates 18 parks across the US, Mexico and Canada.

Raed Al Nuaimi, chief Leisure and Entertainment Officer, Meraas L&E, said: “We are delighted to have a world-leading theme park company and a brand like Six Flags on board. We are confident their presence will perfectly complement our project and further enhance our overall offerings in the leisure and entertainment space.

“As part of our commitment towards creating one-of-a-kind experiences and contributing towards the Dubai Tourism Vision 2020, our association with Six Flags will help us develop a world-class destination that redefines the industry and positively impacts the regional tourism sector.”

The new theme park is part of the Dhs10 billion complex of five theme parks announced by Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum in November 2012.

The complex includes a theme park focused on India’s Bollywood cinema industry, an adventure park featuring Hollywood brands, a marine park, a children’s park and a night safari.

Dubai, which is gearing up to welcome 20 million visitors in 2020, is ramping up entertainment options across the city.

Construction is currently ongoing on another major theme-park entertainment project – the IMG Worlds of Adventure theme park. Located within City of Arabia, the project will have four zones including Marvel, Cartoon Network, Lost Valley and the IMG Entertainment Zone. Each of the zones will feature themed rides, themed retail outlets and themed merchandise.

Spread across 1.5 million square feet in its first stage, the development is slated to be the largest temperature controlled indoor themed entertainment destination in the world when ready. It is designed to attract up to 20,000 visitors per day.