Dubai’s Al Ahli inks deal to build Fox theme park
Project will be second 20th Century Fox World park, with another under construction in Malaysia
Al Ahli Holding Group has inked an agreement to build a Fox-branded theme park and resort in Dubai, which is set to open by 2018.
The UAE conglomerate says it has signed an international licensing partnership with Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products, a division of Twenty-First Century Fox Inc, according to a company statement. The deal will see it build a 4 million square-foot theme park featuring rides, attractions and retail outlets based on Fox productions such as Rio, Aliens, Predator, Night at the Museum, and The Simpsons.
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The upcoming project will be the second 20th Century Fox World theme park and the first Fox-branded resort. The deal signed by Al Ahli allows it to roll out up to three additional Fox-branded resorts in territories outside Dubai.
“20th Century Fox World, Dubai is the second Fox theme park destination and marks an important step forward in our global theme park strategy,” said Jeffrey Godsick, president of Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products.
“This park builds on the foundation being laid by 20th Century Fox World, Malaysia, currently under construction.”
Design and production services on the theme park are being provided by California-based Rethink Leisure & Entertainment.
“As part of our international deal with Fox, we look forward to building these attractions and resorts globally starting with Dubai as the first location and additional Fox branded resorts that we hope to open across other territories in the future,” said Mohammed Khammas, CEO of Al Ahli Holding Group.
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READ MORE: Lebanese firm to build Kidzmondo theme park in Riyadh
The park will be partly funded through project financing from a consortium of banks, to be announced later this month along with the overall development cost, the chief executive said, quoted by Reuters.
It is set to be built on the site of the existing Dubai Outlet Mall, next to the proposed Universal Studios Dubailand project, according to The National.
