The recent news that entities in the United Arab Emirates have begun to work on eco-friendly entertainment events is a promising step forward for the country. The Arab nation sees itself as a trailblazer in the emergence of sustainable live entertainment options, where everything from transport to accommodation is revamped to align with a healthier future for the planet.
This could be one of many steps toward the UAE’s entertainment industry making a bigger stamp on the world stage. The gaming and film industries in the country could also be on the rise in the years ahead.
Gaming Market Expected to Witness Massive Growth
The UAE hasn’t made its mark on the global gaming industry yet, but projections suggest that could be about to change over the decade. The Middle East gaming market is expected to register a compound annual growth rate of 13.88 percent between 2022 and 2027, and this will come about thanks to increased investment in developing games in the UAE.
Gaming figures are high in the country, with 70 percent of women and 74 percent of men playing mobile titles. 49 percent of women and 64 percent of men enjoy console offerings. The average player spends $115 per year on gaming, so it’s no surprise that the UAE is looking to increase its homegrown offerings. All offshoots of gaming are on the agenda as well, with investors in the region also recognizing the potential of the gambling industry.
According to online guides that recommend the top online gambling sites in the UAE, there are many options to choose from. Players search through them based on their offers and ratings, and many are available in both Arabic and English. Players in the country currently must use a VPN to access sites from abroad. In the future, though, the UAE may follow in the footsteps of countries like India where the industry has been regulated. This would open many more potential opportunities for businesses in the region.
Dubai: The Hub of the UAE Film Industry
The UAE is also way behind many other countries in the world with its film industry, and this is something that needs a greater focus in the future. Since 2002, the country has been making progress in developing cinema, and the conception of the Emirates Film Competition helped inspire budding filmmakers to get into the business. There have also been various film festivals including the Abu Dhabi Film Festival, the Gulf Film Festival, and the current main one, the Dubai International Film Festival.
The latter ran annually between 2004 and 2018, and then switched to a bi-annual event that year. The first-ever Emirati film to be shown in cinemas across the nation was The Dream in 2005, and since then there have been many more. Still, there is a long journey ahead for an industry that’s currently worth around $450 million to the local economy.
Dubai is already establishing itself as the hub for filmmakers in the UAE, with organizations like Film District Dubai bringing knowledge and expertise to the table. With the power and wealth of the UAE backing it, there is every chance that the UAE film industry could grow to the same size as Bollywood or Hollywood in the future. This could occur alongside the rise of the gaming industry, which could help promote the films using a cross-platform franchise model.
A Ripe Region and One to Watch in Future
There is no doubt that the UAE is one to watch in the entertainment industry in the future. As one of the richest countries in the world, there is no shortage of financial backing and investment in every sector. The spread of the internet across the Middle East has brought about the need for a greater number of entertainment options from the region. Viewers and players there feel they need to have their culture represented more in media.
Focusing on sustainable entertainment options is key, as other countries will follow the UAE’s lead with live events. The country could soon be a major player in other aspects of the entertainment industry as it looks to pump more money into film and gaming.