• Menu
  • Menu
  • Business
  • Subscribe now
    Digital subscription Print subscription Subscribe to Newsletters
  • Logout
Digital subscription
Print subscription
Subscribe to Newsletters
Trending
UAE holidays 2021 Golf in UAE Expo 2020 The Kurator Year of the 50th
  • Latest News
  • UAE
    • Crime
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Government
    • Year of the 50th
      • News
      • UAE's Progress
      • Photos
      • Videos
      • People
      • Culture
      • Milestones
      • Future
    • Health
      • Better Health
      • Why Worry
    • Transport
    • Science
    • Weather
    • Reader Complaint
    • Ask the Law
    • Games
    • UAE's Hope Probe
  • Living In UAE
    • Visa+Immigration
    • Housing
    • Phone+Internet
    • Banking
    • Transport
    • Health
    • Education
    • Relocate
    • Ask Us
    • Safety+Security
  • UAE Success Stories
  • Special Reports
  • Business
    • Banking
    • Aviation
    • Property
      • Cityscape
    • Energy
    • Analysis
    • Tourism
    • Markets
    • Retail
    • Company Releases
    • Gulf
  • Your Money
    • Saving and Investment
    • Budget Living
    • Taxation
    • Expert Columns
    • Community Tips
    • Cryptocurrency
  • Food
    • Cooking and Cuisines
    • Guide to Cooking
  • Games
    • Daily Crossword
    • Weekend Crossword
    • Sudoku
    • Word Search
    • Play
  • Gaming
  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy & Baby
    • Learning & Play
    • Child Health
    • For Mums & Dads
    • Ask Us
    • Games
  • World
    • Gulf
      • Bahrain
      • Kuwait
      • Oman
      • Qatar
      • Saudi
      • Yemen
      • Games
    • Mena
    • Europe
      • Brexit
    • Africa
    • Americas
      • US Presidential Elections 2020
    • Asia
      • India
      • Pakistan
      • Philippines
    • Oceania
    • Offbeat
    • Court and Crime
    • Coronavirus
    • Infographics
    • Games
  • Photos
    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Readers' Photos
    • Lifestyle
    • Business
    • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Editorials
    • Op-Eds
    • Letters
    • Off the Cuff
    • Cartoons
    • From the Editors
  • Sport
    • UAE Sport
    • Horse Racing
      • Dubai World Cup
    • Cricket
      • IPL
        • Chennai
        • Delhi
        • Punjab
        • Kolkata
        • Mumbai
        • Rajasthan
        • Bangalore
        • Hyderabad
        • Schedule
        • Live Scores
        • Point Table
        • Top Scorers
      • ICC
      • T20 World Cup 2021
        • Schedule
        • Live Scores
        • Point Table
        • Top Scorers
    • Football
    • Motorsport
    • Tennis
      • Dubai Duty Free Tennis 2020
    • Golf in UAE
      • UAE
      • World
      • Photos & Videos
      • Course Reviews
      • Eagle Eye
      • Learn to Play
      • Gear
    • Rugby
  • Entertainment
    • Hollywood
    • Bollywood
    • Pakistani Cinema
    • South Indian
    • Arab Celebs
    • Music
    • TV
    • Books
    • Theatre
    • Arts+Culture
  • Expo 2020
    • News
    • Photos
    • Pavilions
    • Visit the Expo
    • Experience the UAE
    • Entertainment
    • Videos
  • Going Out
  • Auto
    • News
    • Test Drives
    • Car Culture
    • Auto Care
  • Lifestyle
    • Health+Fitness
    • Community
    • Fashion
  • GN Reach
  • Jobs
  • Tech
    • Electronics
    • Gaming
    • Media
  • Videos
    • How-To
    • Best Of Bollywood
    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Business
    • Sport
    • Community
    • Technology
  • Travel
  • GN Focus
    • Special Features
  • The Kurator
    • Share
    • Dare
    • Flair
  • Bayat Chapters
  • Gold-Forex
  • Notifications
  • Gold/Forex
  • Prayer Times
  • Cinema Listing
  • Subscribe to Newsletters
  • About Gulf News
  • Contact us
  • Work with us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Gulf News store
  • Advertise with us
  • Reach by GN
  • GN Focus
  • Gulf News epaper
  • Sitemap
  • Have your say
    • © Al Nisr Publishing LLC 2021. All rights reserved.
    Gallery: In UAE, even fun and entertainment pursuits take on a ‘hybrid’ role

    Photos

    Login / Sign Up
    Logout
    Tuesday, October 19, 2021
    Gold / Forex

    Photos Business

    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Readers' Photos
    • Lifestyle
    • Business
    • Sports
    All Sections
    Analysis

    Gallery: In UAE, even fun and entertainment pursuits take on a ‘hybrid’ role

    Majid Al Futtaim experiments with a hybrid version mixing cinemas with Magic Planet

    Published:  June 15, 2021 15:17 Manoj Nair, Business Editor ,  Devadasan K P, Picture Editor  and  Nivetha Dayanand, Web Editor
    1 of 12
    Hybrid family entertainment
    Going ‘hybrid’ – every aspect of life and work has gone in for this transition. Now, even entertainment options in the UAE are heading the hybrid way. Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
    2 of 12
    Hybrid family entertainment
    Whether that’s an in-mall cinema or a family entertainment centre, there’s a new mix that is being added to the options that consumers can access. Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
    3 of 12
    Hybrid family entertainment
    For Majid Al Futtaim, it meant integrating the family entertainment options with the cinema at the recently opened Wafi City destination. Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
    4 of 12
    Hybrid family entertainment
    Billed as its first ‘hybrid’ cinema and family entertainment centre, it takes up two floors for VOX Cinemas and the Magic Planet. Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
    5 of 12
    Hybrid family entertainment
    “VOX Cinemas and Magic Planet at Wafi City have been designed as a holistic concept seamlessly integrating two recreational functions into one enriched experience,” was how Ignace Lahoud, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas and Majid Al Futtaim Leisure & Entertainment says it. (It’s no coincidence that Lahoud wears the CEO hat for both pursuits…) Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
    6 of 12
    Hybrid family entertainment
    At some of the Dubai-based mall developers other destinations, the multiplexes and the Magic Planet are kept at a distance, with the belief at the time being these are meant for two different audiences. Or for the same user base to use it at separate times when the mood strikes them. Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
    7 of 12
    Hybrid family entertainment
    For Wafi City, Majid Al Futtaim is drawining them into the bigger cocoon of an integrated entertainment hub. The 15-screen multiplex features the first Samsung Onyx screen in the UAE. “Today’s customers are looking for more engaging and immersive ways to spend time with family and friends and, at Majid Al Futtaim, we are committed to staying ahead of the curve and finding innovative new ways to exceed evolving expectations,” said Lahoud. Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
    8 of 12
    Fabyland
    Family entertainment centres in the UAE are getting to see some much needed action after a long time of enforced, COVID-19 created disruptions. In Sharjah, Faby Land’s latest destination at Sharjah’s Rahmania Mall spreads itself over 17,500 square feet. “This is our maiden location in Sharjah and in collaboration with Sharjah Co-operative Society,” said Kareem Fayed, Head of Business Development at Al Othaim Leisure & Tourism Co., which owns Faby Land. Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News
    9 of 12
    Fabyland
    But can action- and fun-packed entertainment centres stay untouched by COVID-19’s influence? Can bonding among friends and families over games happen within socially defined protocols? Fayed reckons the essentials will not change: “The nature of games and activities will not change – therefore, it’s for the FEC operator to ensure that all health and safety norms are followed.” Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News
    10 of 12
    Fabyland
    Faby Land, which also operates a 70,000 square feet facility in Dubai Festival City, believes that with time the extreme measures will ease. Each day of renewed and frenetic vaccination will eventually lead to that. And tech will play its part. Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News
    11 of 12
    Fabyland
    “We have already made changes when it comes to innovation,” said Fayed. “Introducing new concepts in the FEC industry take time and lots of resources; so these upgrades or new product development happens over a of year. For electronic and virtual reality games; these can happen within a year.” Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News
    12 of 12
    Fabyland
    So, whether entertainment is going the hybrid way or sticking to more conventional routes – but with strings attached – UAE’s venues will once again throng. And throb with whatever fun pursuits visitors choose. Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News

    Trending

    • Drug case: Mumbai court rejects Aryan's bail plea

      Drug case: Mumbai court rejects Aryan's bail plea

    • Pictures: Grand mosque in Mecca opens at full capacity

      Pictures: Grand mosque in Mecca opens at full capacity

    • World reopens: Saudis allow 100% capacity

      World reopens: Saudis allow 100% capacity

    Latest In

    • IFZ announces the launch of Biz For Good Pitch

      7 minutes ago

    • More than 96,000 Saudi graduates get jobs in 2020

      14 minutes ago

    • COVID-19: Kuwait to return to normal life soon

      38 minutes ago

    • COVID-19: Saudi Arabia administers 44.7m vaccine doses

      43 minutes ago

    • Trump sues to block release of Capitol attack papers

      59 minutes ago
    Go back to top
    Network links:
    • Baby & Child
    • Friday
    • Inside Out
    • Watch Time
    • Wheels
    • getthat
    • GN Tech
    • Jobs
    • About Gulf News
    • Contact us
    • Work with us
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Gulf News store
    • Advertise with us
    • Reach by GN
    • GN Focus
    • Gulf News epaper
    • Sitemap
    • Have your say
    Find us on Social
    © Al Nisr Publishing LLC 2021. All rights reserved.
    This website stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to improve your experience and provide more personalized service to you. Both on your website and other media. To find out more about the cookies and data we use, please check out our Privacy Policy.
    Share on Facebook
    Share on Twitter
    Share on Whatsapp
    Share on Mail
    Share on LinkedIn
    Close
    Gulf News

    Get Breaking News Alerts From Gulf News

    We’ll send you latest news updates through the day. You can manage them any time by clicking on the notification icon.

    Subscribe No Thanks
    Continue reading Gulf News
    Dear Reader, please register to read gulfnews.com

    Dear Reader,

    This section is about Living in UAE and essential information you cannot live without.

    Register to read and get full access to gulfnews.com

    Create your account
    or login if you already have one
    First name is required.
    Last name is required.
    Please enter a valid email address.
    Password should have minimum 7 characters with at least one letter and number
    Passwords do not match

    By clicking below to sign up, you're agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

    Login your account
    New to Gulf News? Sign up now
    Please enter your email address.
    Please enter your password.

    Forgot password

    or