The 30th anniversary of the Dubai Entertainment Amusement and Leisure Exhibition 2024 (DEAL) is in the book, showcasing pioneering technology at the leading trade show for the amusement and leisure industry in the region.

The show took place over three inspirational days at the Dubai World Trade Centre with more than 300 exhibitors presenting their diverse attractions.

8000 attendees from over 100 countries across the world were welcomed to sample the latest product innovations in the leisure industry.

Among the entertainment categories which exhibitors presented were amusement rides, coin-operated machines, gaming and devices, high-tech equipment and effects and themed retail and entertainment.

The Park Playground, an immersive virtual reality (VR) experiences provider, were making their debut at DEAL as the company presented its brand-new VR turnkey solution along with its immersive VR escape room and free-roam VR group experiences.

Head of Franchise, Bill Painter discussed the company’s new VR turnkey solution, The Park VR System Solution, which has been utilised at Center Parcs Park Hochsauerland, Germany. The VR system allows any leisure facility to expand its entertainment offering. Painter expanded: “It’s an exciting time for our company as we strive towards international expansion. We’ve seen our presence grow across the UK and Europe, and we’re looking to replicate this success into new markets in Western Europe and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).”

Attendees got the chance to battle “hostile aliens” in Mission Planet X, explore Egypt to help free a professor hidden in a pyramid in Mask of the Pharaoh or be transported to a horror-thrilling multiplayer VR haunted house escape room, Don’t Scream. 

Attendees also experienced The Park Playground’s latest location-based entertainment (LBE) VR escape room, The Break-in, which uses generative AI to ensure the experience is personalised each and every time it is played. During the experience, guests become part of an elite SWAT team tasked to break into a bank and retrieve valuable stolen artwork.”

The leisure industry is celebrating a boom period in the Middle East market with work going on across the region to create the most technological attractions for the here-and-now and for future generations. Thus, DEAL remains one of the most important B2B trade shows for the entertainment sector.

Images: DEAL / The Park Playground