Dhabi

Nov. 26 (UPI) — The IAAPA will host its first expo in the Middle East at Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, this spring after breaking records for attendance at the recent Orlando expo.

The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions will host the event in the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre March 30 to April 2.

In April, the association announced that it has already had to expand the expo space to accommodate demand from exhibitioners.

The organization just finished its most recent Expo Nov. 17-21 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., with record-breaking numbers. The event saw 38,520 attendees, a press release said. The trade show floor featured 28,598 qualified buyers representing 20,316 buying companies across 102 countries. This year’s expo showcased cutting-edge innovations from more than 1,100 exhibitors representing the full spectrum of the global attractions community, including amusement and theme parks, water parks, family entertainment centers, zoos, aquariums, museums, resorts and cruise lines.

Some of the highlights included SeaWorld Orlando unveiling a new Vekoma coaster; Dollywood debuting a new attraction in partnership with Mack Rides; Six Flags Over Texas revealing the Tormenta coaster, manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard; Rocky Mountain Construction announcing new single-rail coaster coming to Family Kingdom Amusement Park; and Zamperla partnering with Morgan’s Wonderland on The WingZ, an accessibility-friendly ride.

Next year’s Middle East expo was created in response to demand from members and local organizations within the theme park industry, a press release said. The event allows people in the attractions industry to connect, build diverse perspectives and engage across the industry.

“After years of preparation, we are thrilled to bring IAAPA Expo to the Middle East,” said Peter van der Schans, executive director and vice president of IAAPA EMEA, in a statement. “Beyond organizing this Expo, we’ve been actively shaping our presence in the region by hosting multiday summits and institutes, building strong partnerships with organizations like the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism and investing in local talent with our regional office. This event is a milestone in that journey.”

Abu Dhabi is a leading destination for attractions and tourism. It’s already home to Seaworld Yas Island and will soon be the home of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Disneyland Abu Dhabi. The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi opened on Nov. 22.

“The Middle East is experiencing tremendous growth and innovation, and IAAPA is eager to support and elevate the industry here,” said IAAPA President and CEO Jakob Wahl in a statement. “IAAPA Expo Middle East will provide a powerful platform for networking, learning, and discovering new opportunities. We are proud to host the very first edition of this annual event in Abu Dhabi.”

Registration is open for visitors and exhibitioners.

World number 30 Rai led by one shot overnight, but a rollercoaster final day began with Fleetwood moving out in front after opening with a birdie and hitting an eagle at the par-five second.

Four successive birdies on the front nine moved Rai ahead again, only for a bogey at the eighth to hand the initiative back to Fleetwood.

A host of players began to bunch up behind the leaders, including McIlroy. The Northern Irishman eagled the par-five second but it was a run of five successive birdies at the turn that lifted him back into contention, with a birdie at the last moving him to 24 under and the clubhouse lead.

Meanwhile, birdies at the 16th and 17th drew Rai back level with Fleetwood, who saved par with another clutch putt at the second-last to ensure it stayed that way heading to the 18th.

Rai spurned his first chance on the 18th green, but made no mistake on the same hole in the play-off to secure his third DP World Tour Title.

It was his first win on the tour since the 2020 Scottish Open, when he also beat Fleetwood in a play-off.

The Abu Dhabi Championship is the first of two DP World Tour end-of-season play-off events, with the top 70 players competing this week and the leading 50 advancing to next week’s finale in Dubai.

Rai began the tournament 55th in the standings, but this victory means he will go into next week’s event ranked ninth.

McIlroy, who is two behind Colin Montgomerie’s record of eight years as the tour’s number one, leads the Race to Dubai standings by 767 points from Marco Penge, the Englishman who has won three times on tour this year.

Penge carded a final-round nine-under 63 to finish tied for ninth on 20 under alongside Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre and Angel Ayora of Spain.