The 3rd edition of the Annual Menalac Awards, the only industry awards representing the Mena Leisure and Attractions Industry, have set a new benchmark for delivering virtual events of the highest calibre.  

 

The awards ceremony was held along with the 4th Menalac Leisure and Attractions Conference on Tuesday, November 10, 2020.

 

The Annual Menalac Awards are now recognised globally for their credibility with a preselected jury who work diligently viewing all the numerous entries to select their top 5 nominees, this is done in isolation with each jury member working in their own capacity.  

 

The jury’s selections are shared directly with the council’s auditors UHY James and the auditors are the only entity who know the final winners until the moment it is announced live to the ceremony guests. 

 

Menalac pride themselves on delivering not just a phenomenal celebration of excellence but on ensuring that credibility remains at the heart of their Awards Ceremony.  

 

The winners inspire the rest of the industry players to continually strive for better products, services and experiences always aiming for enhancing their customer experience and this is clearly reflected in the very high number of unique and best-in-class attractions that can be seen across the Mena region.

 

The Leisure Tourism Industry is a major economic sector in the GCC and Mena region and is showing signs of recovery. The 2020 edition of the awards featured 23 award categories.

 

The Winners of the Menalac Awards 2020 are:

*Best Waterpark: Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi.

*Best Establishment Manager Above 250000 Visitor/ Transactions: Enas Alkhateeb - Sala Entertainment.

*Best Innovation in Health & Safety: Majid Al Futtaim Leisure Entertainment & Cinemas.

*Most Innovative Applications of Technology: Play Area Membership System - Landmark Leisure.

*Best CSR Programme: Speedy Recovery - Ferrari World Abu Dhabi.

*Best Cinema Experience: VOX Cinemas- Majid Al Futtaim Leisure, Entertainment & Cinema.

*Best Sales and Marketing Campaign: Summer Says Yas Campaign - Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi.

*Best New Product for Theme Parks: Disk'O Coaster - Zamperla ME.

*Leisure and Entertainment Personality of The Year: Shyam Kumar Pillai - Landmark Leisure.

*Best Customer Loyalty Programme: Play Area Membership - Landmark Leisure.

*Best New Leisure Entertainment Concept: Teen Titans Training Academy - Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi.

*Best Employee Engagement Initiative: The WOW Awards - Farah Experiences LLC.

*Best New Concept/ Interior Design for A Leisure Facility: TEKZONE Kuwait - Al Shaya Group.

*Best Establishment Manager Below 250000 Visitor/ Transactions: Rim Mhadhbi - Landmark Leisure.

*Best Sport/ Adventure-Based Entertainment: Trampo Extreme - Kuwait, Murouj Branch.

*Best Edutainment Playscape: Kidzania, Dubai.

*Best Unique Visitor Attraction: Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi.

*Best New Product for Family Entertainment Centres: Air Race - Zamperla ME.

*Best Theme Park: Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi.

*Supplier of The Year: Amusement Services International.

*Best Family Entertainment Centre: Tridom - Landmark Leisure.

*Best Day Out: Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi.

*Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award: Majid Al Futtaim.

 

Silvio Liedtke, the Vice President of Menalac and Chairman of the Events Committee said: “The aim of the annual Menalac Leisure Industry Awards is to raise the standard of the leisure attractions industry across the Mena region and set new benchmarks for the industry locally and globally.

 

“Following the remarkable success of the past editions of the Menalac Awards Gala, we have understood that our market clearly desires to have this kind of award ceremony and celebration. For our event this year we decided to deliver via a virtual platform which I am pleased to confirm we delivered with excellent quality and the ability to retain the sense of celebration and fun that our Gala has become recognised for across the globe. I’m extremely thankful to all our sponsors, participants and other stakeholders for their tremendous support.”

 

Menalac has since its inception in 2016 has quickly evolved into a highly effective platform for all industry players, professionals and regulatory bodies across the Mena region to work together hand in hand.  They are diligent in ensuring they create a harmonious relationship between industry stakeholders, investors and authorities as well as to spread the message of safety and quality via their growing selection of webinars,  educational initiatives and industry forums.

 

Rosa Tahmaseb, Secretary General of the Council said: “We are absolutely thrilled with how the Gala awards went for everyone.  Our intention was to bring our industry together and give them a chance to celebrate one another’s achievements.  As we moved further and further into the ceremony it was clear that the Mena Leisure and Attractions industry was ready to remember why we always have been and still remain at the forefront with so many of our amazing attractions and experiences.” 

 

It has not been an easy year for either Operators or Suppliers due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and to quote Menalac’s president Alhasan Alzaabi (We should all consider ourselves winners this year).  “Nevertheless, we are extremely proud of our industry across the Mena region, they are resilient and after our fantastic virtual Conference and Awards Gala, we know they are ready to continue forging ahead with their amazing attractions to ensure their guests always get the very best experience it is possible to deliver. 

 

“We are also of course very pleased for all the winners of the numerous awards I would like to Congratulate them all from everybody on the Menalac team, and we want to wish each and every one of our industry partners the very best as we head towards the end of this year.

 

“Finally, to all our valued sponsors, I can only agree with the sentiments of Silvio and to add that your support truly does make it possible for us to deliver events of such high quality for all our industry to enjoy, Thank you for giving us this support and enabling our industry partners to have a much-needed chance to celebrate and enjoy their achievements.”

 

Menalac, which was launched in 2016, has grown with a large number of active members across the region, where the leisure and entertainment industry is set to grow due to an increasing young population who are high-spenders in leisure and entertainment attractions.-- Tradearabia News Service