Dubai, UAE [September 11, 2025]: The Middle East & North Africa Leisure & Attractions Council (MENALAC) announces the release of the second edition of the MENA Leisure Report 2025, a comprehensive reference and intelligence source for the region’s rapidly evolving leisure and entertainment industry.
The MENA leisure and entertainment market is expected to hit the $14-billion-mark by 2028, driven by demographic shifts, rising disposable income and a growing appetite for experiences and memories. And this is just the beginning! From the ever-so-popular and beloved homegrown indoor entertainment centres to mega theme parks, the region is embracing leisure as both a cultural force and an economic engine.
Take Saudi Arabia, for example. It’s not just building attractions; it’s building ambition. Under the Saudi Vision 2030, high profile projects such as Six Flags Qiddiya and SEVEN (Saudi Entertainment Ventures) theme parks are gaining global attention. The goal of these projects is to welcome 150 million visitors to KSA by 2030.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) continues to reinforce its status as a leading leisure destination, aiming to attract 40 million tourist footfalls by 2030, injecting $100 billion into the economy. The already strong inflow of tourism revenue is fuelling rapid growth in the country’s leisure sector, driving investments in new attractions and the enhancement of existing ones.
Similarly, Qatar’s recent developments including the opening of the Meryal Waterpark and the upcoming Simaisma Project – that will feature a theme park, an 18-hole golf course and luxury resorts – underscore the nation’s commitment to enhancing its leisure offerings.
Beyond the GCC, Egypt is also set to see strong growth in its leisure sector supported by reforms and investments in tourism infrastructure. Morocco achieved a record 15.9 million tourists in the first 11 months of 2024, a 20% increase from the previous year. The country aims to reach 17.5 million visitors by 2026 and 26 million by 2030, coinciding with its role as a co-host for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The MENA Leisure Report 2025 is more than just a publication – it is a transformative industry resource, consolidating data, expert analysis, and insights to guide strategic decision-making. Designed to empower businesses, the report enables operators, developers, investors, and government stakeholders to identify growth opportunities, adapt to market shifts, and foster sustainable development across the region.
Key Highlights of the Report:
• 19 Updated MENA Country Reports with the latest demographic, tourism, and market data.
• Macroeconomic Reports per MENA Country providing detailed economic indicators that influence leisure growth.
• 2024 MENA Leisure & Entertainment Benchmark Survey: An in-depth reflection of industry performance, covering operations, revenue growth, expense streams, HR trends, and CEO insights.
• GCC Consumer Sentiment Survey: Capturing emerging consumer behaviors, innovation drivers, and sustainability-focused preferences.
• Status of the Industry Reports: Covering key segments including Theme Parks, Water Parks, Family Entertainment Centres (FECs), and Play Areas.
• Vision and Opinion Articles by Industry Experts offering forward-looking perspectives on the region’s leisure and entertainment future.
Speaking about the report, Prakash Vivekanand, Board Member of MENALAC and Head of the MENA Leisure Report Committee stated: “The MENA Leisure Report 2025 is an essential resource for industry stakeholders. It features updated demographic and macroeconomic data per MENA country, tourism and hospitality insights, consumer sentiment surveys, opinion pieces from industry leaders, status reports across segments, details on upcoming key infrastructure and leisure projects, and much more. A notable highlight, especially for operators, is the 2024 Industry Operators Benchmark Survey, which is a reflection on how our industry fared in 2024 and captures the key trends that shaped our industry in said year.”
The 450-page report also includes sector upcoming projects, investment opportunity analyses, and expert perspectives – all meticulously curated to shape strategy, uncover opportunities, and drive growth. This report is more than just a snapshot of where the industry is at; it’s a map of where its headed. The MENA Leisure Report 2025 serves as a platform to spotlight key industry players, celebrate innovation and support every stakeholders – from investors and operators to developers and government bodies – on the path to building a more dynamic, connected and inclusive leisure ecosystem.
The MENA Leisure Report 2025 is available in both digital format and hardbound copy. For more details or to order your copy, visit www.menalac.org
About MENALAC
The Middle East and North Africa Leisure and Attractions Council (MENALAC) is the official trade association for the leisure and attractions industry in the MENA region. Representing over 500 attractions, theme parks, water parks, family entertainment centres and support companies catering for the industry, MENALAC promotes industry best practices, professional development and business excellence.
ENDS
A COUNCIL BY THE INDUSTRY FOR THE INDUSTRY
مجلس من الصناعة.. ولأجلها