UAE Theme Park Tickets to get Costlier
- UAE’s VAT policy is going to result in a significant hike in ticket prices for theme parks in the country
- There is no exempt category in the entertainment sector, so all activities of the entertainment industry will come under VAT
- The UAE entertainment industry is expected to top 45 million visitors by 2021 with international tourists accounting for 30 million, according to PwC
- DXB Entertainment expects 7.5 million visits annually, or 20,500 daily visits, and theme parks will attract 18 million visitors annually
- Value Added Tax of 5% will be introduced in UAE from 1st January, 2018
- VAT will be implemented across all GCC countries by 1st January, 2019
- VAT is estimated to bring in AED 12 billion in 2018 and AED 20 billion in 2019
- UAE’s major theme parks are IMG Worlds of Adventure, Dubai Parks, Wild Wadi Waterpark, Aquaventure, Dreamland Aqua Park, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and Yas Waterworld
- During the first half of 2017, Dubai Parks and Resorts registered over 1 million visits, at a total revenue of AED of 86.5 million
