M iMidddl E Eas maaic “It has a strong Western influence because Addis
Ababa is a central point for the African nations and there are many consulates there with a strong ex-pat population, and that is good for the leisure industry.” Vivekanand said that the majority of revenue in the
Middle East FEC comes from rides and attractions, with redemption income second and then the video games. With perhaps 50 per cent for the first sector and 20-30 per cent from redemption, leaving the smallest portion for video games, it demonstrated that if the operator only had video games then the location would have to be located exceptionally well to make money. A mix with redemption would drive up incomes radically. Interestingly, ASI’s two main competitors in the region
as distributors, Warehouse of Games and London’s UDC, both agree with Vivekanand about where the action is likely to be in the next year or two. Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, while one or two people also mention the North African countries such as Libya, as emerging markets. And for the rest of 2010? The target is stability. The
Middle East is more resilient than the rest of the world, certainly in terms of its entertainment facilities, so it is likely to suffer less and recover faster. It is well-known that Dubai ran into problems
and threatened to default on its investment and financial obligations. So why didn’t the amusement machine operators – a long way down the investment ladder, admittedly, than the financial institutions, have problems too? The difficulties had to manifest themselves into a shortage of disposable cash for the average Emerati. Or did it? “Think about it,” said one leading supplier. “So a
comfortable middle-class family in Dubai can’t afford to go out to a nice restaurant for dinner? So where
do they go instead? A fast-food outlet – perhaps a food court? And where are they situated? Next door to the FEC!” And in any case, no self-respecting Arab is going to
deny his children – who haven’t a clue about income stresses – their weekly visit to the waterpark or fun centre. They might take a cheaper package when there, but they won’t stop going.
Sami Abi Chahine, general manager at
Magic Island, Bahrain, on the steps of one of the FEC’s big rides.
leeastt mggic
!!
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