Dubai’s Atlantis Aquaventure and CLYMB Abu Dhabi among MENALAC 2022 award winners
The Atlantis Aquaventure waterpark on Palm Jumeirah in Dubai and CLYMB™ Abu Dhabi are among the attractions to have secured awards at the Middle East and North Africa Leisure and Attraction Council (MENALAC) Gala 2022.
Atlantis Aquaventure secured the award for best water park while CLYMB Abu Dhabi secured an award for best sport/ adventure-based attraction alongside an award for best design for a leisure facility.
On its completion in 2021, The Atlantis Aquaventure waterpark on Palm Jumeirah in Dubai represented what its owners say is the “biggest waterpark expansion in history” with attractions covering 5.5 hectares being added to the already 17-hectare site.
The massive ‘Phase 3’ extension at the Middle East’s largest waterpark sees it now offer 79 rides, including the world’s longest water slide which takes guests down a 450-metre fall. In addition, Atlantis Aquaventure is home to 26 ‘marine experiences’, water sport activities and 26 food and beverage outlets.
ProSlide Technology Inc. installed 17 water rides for the record-breaking expansion, including two state-of-the-art water park towers with multiple RallyRACERTM mat racers, a new WaterKINGDOM featuring the world’s first KidzADVENTURE TowerTM, and multiple ProSlide Water Coasters, including the world’s longest family rafting Water Coaster.
Developed by Miral, CLYMB™ Abu Dhabi features the world's tallest indoor climbing wall, reaching 43 metres in height, as part of five climbing walls with varying degrees of height and difficulty, suitable for both beginners and experts alike.
The US$100 million attraction also offers the world's largest indoor skydiving flight chamber spanning 10 metres wide and 32 metres high.
The Middle East and North Africa Leisure and Attraction Council (MENALAC) - the trade association for the Middle East and North African leisure industry - celebrated the best industry players at the MENALAC Awards Gala 2022.
Like every year, the highly coveted awards celebrated groundbreaking achievements across the myriad facets of the attractions and entertainment industry including cinemas, sustainability, and manufacturers with the introduction of new award categories.
In its 4th edition, the MENALAC Awards 2022, took place at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, DIFC Dubai on 29th March gathering 134 nominations across 27 awards categories that were judged by 39 industry experts.
Attendees welcomed the opportunity to meet face-to-face in such a tremendous Gala night after surpassing the COVID restrictions.
The awards have gained prominence and popularity over the years, bringing a number of high-profile industry businesses to sponsor and support this industry initiative, enhancing their profile and brand visibility.
Silver sponsors for the awards were Play Enterprises, Al Othaim Leisure & Tourism Co, and Bob's Space Racers, while bronze sponsors were Amusement Services International and Spree Interactive. The premium Gala dinner and reception was sponsored by Trampo Extreme and Unique Hospitality, while the afterparty event was sponsored by Whitewater and the Worldwide Zoo Consultants, allowing all victors to celebrate their victory.
Like every year, the highly coveted awards celebrated groundbreaking achievements in the leisure and attraction sector across myriad facets of the entertainment industry including cinemas, sustainability, and manufacturers with the introduction of new award categories.
The MENALAC Awards 2022 recognised and celebrated the best-in-class in the leisure and entertainment industry:
1. BEST THEME PARK: Motiongate Dubai
2. BEST WATER PARK: Atlantis Aquaventure
3. BEST FEC: Tekzone Jeddah - Al Shaya Group
4. BEST UNIQUE VISITOR ATTRACTION: Qasr Al Watan – Farah Experiences
5. BEST EDUTAINMENT / PLAYSCAPE: Little Explorers – MAF Leisure, Entertainment & Cinemas
6. BEST SPORT / ADVENTURE-BASED ENTERTAINMENT: CLYMB Abu Dhabi, Farah Experiences
7. BEST NEW LEISURE/ENTERTAINMENT CONCEPT: Doha Oasis Quest
8. BEST CINEMA EXPERIENCE: muvi Cinemas
9. BEST DAY OUT: Atlantis Aquaventure
10. BEST SALES & MARKETING CAMPAIGN Annual Pass Campaign – Farah Experiences
11. BEST CSR PROGRAM: muvi Cinemas CSR
12. BEST CUSTOMER LOYALTY PROGRAM: Toy Promotion- Landmark Leisure
13. BEST EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVE: For You Program - Al Hokair Group
14. MOST INNOVATIVE APPLICATION OF TECHNOLOGY: Dreamscape - Majid Al Futtaim LEC
15. BEST DESIGN FOR A LEISURE FACILITY: CLYMB Abu Dhabi, Farah Experiences
16. BEST NEW PRODUCT FOR THEME PARKS: Super Air Race (by Zamperla)
17. BEST NEW PRODUCT FOR WATER PARKS: MammothBLAST Water Coaster (by ProSlide)
18. BEST NEW PRODUCT FOR FECS: STORM™ (by TRIOTECH)
19. BEST NEW CONCEPT: HYPER RIDE (by TRIOTECH)
20. SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR: Amusement Services International LLC
21. BEST INNOVATION IN HEALTH & SAFETY: Majid Al-Futtaim Leisure, Entertainment, & Cinemas
22. BEST INDIVIDUAL SAFETY ACHIEVEMENT: Mr. Renjith Radhakrishnan, Al Othaim Leisure & Tourism Co.
23. BEST IMPACTFUL SUSTAINABILITY CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR: Atlantis Atlas Project
24. BEST ESTABLISHMENT MANAGER BELOW 250000 VISITOR/TRANSACTION: Moustafa Mohamed - Landmark Leisure
25. BEST ESTABLISHMENT MANAGER ABOVE 250000 VISITOR/TRANSACTION: Shuaeb Abduljalil Musabih - Best Park Manager, Dubai Municipality
26. LEISURE AND ENTERTAINMENT PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR: Prakash Vivekanand, Amusement Services International
27. HALL OF FAME: Prakash Vivekanand, Amusement Services International
Commenting on the Gala Awards, Mike Rigby, Chair of the MENALAC Events Committee and Executive VP, Middle East & India, Whitewater noted ‘’The event has been a tremendous success. Overcoming many challenges, MENALAC decided to forge ahead and bring the industry together to celebrate our winners and let the industry’s positive energy and optimism triumph over past gloom.
“We received over 134 entries and it is amazing to see some great names emerging as winners. The Middle East market is very competitive and has emphatically evolved from a being on par with the world to setting global benchmarks. The MENALAC Awards are a step in that direction thereby aiming to raise the profile of the MENA Leisure & Attractions Industry, one award at a time.”
For more information about MENALAC, please visit www.menalac.org
Image top: The Atlantis Aquaventure waterpark and image above:CLYMB Abu Dhabi courtesy of Miral.
Click here to contact ProSlide Technology via their entry in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory.
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