Speakers have been confirmed for the fourth Theme Parks & Entertainment Development Forum. The two-day event returns to Dubai on May 7 and 8, accompanied by the Middle East Leisure and Entertainment Awards and an optional site visit (park/attraction to be confirmed) on May 9.

Due to falling oil revenues, there is an increasing need for governments in GCC (Gulf Cooperative Council) countries to boost tourism in order to attract a targeted 86 million visitors by 2027 and generate up to US$10bn in revenue. According to organisers, the Theme Parks & Entertainment Development Forum is the Middle East’s premier platform to learn from experts on how to profit from the vast opportunities in entertainment sector.

“This is not a mass participation event featuring hundreds of attendees,” says a spokesperson. “It is a tightly focused networking, business development and learning platform for senior executives.”

Making presentations during the event at the Meydan Hotel will be executives including HE Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri from the UAE’s Zoo & Aquarium Public Institution, Lennard Otto from IMG Worlds of Adventure, Jose María Letamendía of Parques Reunidos and Dr Hatem Samman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority. Around 20 other speakers are also promised. See themeparks.iqpc.ae for the full programme.