Dubai's theme parks are drawing a fresh wave of local visitors, a trend executives at Dubai Holding Entertainment attribute to UAE families turning to activities closer to home amid a tense regional news cycle. Fernando Eiroa, CEO of Dubai Holding Entertainment, which operates Global Village and Dubai Parks and Resorts, said that even as international tourist numbers dipped earlier this year due to regional tensions, visitor counts from UAE residents on some days have actually exceeded levels seen before the parks' temporary closure period.
Eiroa said families are increasingly seeking entertainment options close to home, and that shift has made the city's theme parks a top choice. Global Village has rolled out a new roller coaster called Tokyo Rush this season, while Riverland has added more than 14 new experiences, including bowling, arcade games, a Lamborghini driving simulator and an expanded go-kart track. MotionGate, meanwhile, has introduced a new Addams Family stage show.
One of the season's standout offerings is the return of T-Rex Glamping at Dubai Parks and Resorts for a full season — a luxury camping experience that bundles park entry into the stay. Other venues under the group, including Roxy Cinemas and Green Planet, have also reported strong performance.
The trend highlights how Dubai's domestic tourism base can cushion the broader entertainment sector even when international arrivals fluctuate. With resident families driving footfall at Global Village, Riverland and MotionGate alike, operators are leaning into new attractions and family-oriented experiences to sustain momentum — a strategy likely to shape how Dubai's leisure industry plans its coming seasons.