 |
Al-Ahram Weekly 1 - 7 April 1999 Issue No. 423 
|
||
Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
 |
 |
|
|
Al-Ahram Weekly 1 - 7 April 1999 Issue No. 423
|
||
| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
|
|
|
Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Focus Interview Profile Features Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Roller coasters and simulators
By Niveen Wahish
Residents of Cairo unable to leave the city for the Mediterranean or Red Sea beaches during the Eid Al-Adha (feast of sacrifice) holiday are being treated to new ways of spending their vacation. Ice skating rinks, bowling centres and spacious amusement parks are some of the options Cairenes can now choose from to spend their leisure time.
Amusement parks in particular have become numerous. In fact, four have opened during the past two months, raising to seven the number in Greater Cairo, certainly not the case a couple of years ago.
What is interesting is not just the number of new parks but what they have to offer. Fans are treated to roller coasters, simulators and also sorts of bumpy rides, entertainment they previously saw only on television or when travelling abroad. The parks, mostly Disneyland imitations, are built on areas of land as big as 100 feddans.
Located on the outskirts of the city, the parks also feature artificial lakes, waterfalls, islands, mountains and tunnels. "A total change from the typical Cairo scenery, and an opportunity to leave your worries behind," said Ahmed Bahgat, owner of Dreampark in the 6th of October City.
However, such large-scale projects come at an exorbitant price. Hundreds of millions of pounds have been invested in the new parks. For example, Dreampark is expected to cost LE720 million after it is completed. Still, its owners would never have made such an investment if they did not expect huge dividends. According to Bahgat, the amusement business, which caters to tourists as well as Egyptians, is growing so rapidly that it now figures in the nation's gross national product.
Osama Zaki, marketing manager of Sindbad, one of the first big amusement parks in Cairo, believes amusement parks are one of the most successful businesses. Built 13 years ago, Sindbad was one of only two large parks in Cairo for several years. When first built, its owner realised the lack of this form of entertainment but was also unable to predict market reaction. Things went well and more than 5,000 people visit the park daily during the holidays. "There was a need for this new service," said Zaki. More than a decade later, that is still valid. In fact, a feasibility study conducted by the Sindbad company shows that Cairo is the number one city for investors interested in setting up entertainment projects. Istanbul comes in second place.
Hazem Saad Zaghloul, owner of Gero Land, one of the new amusement parks built along the Cairo-Ismailia highway, says Egyptians have few places where they can go to spend their leisure time. "Clubs have become overcrowded and children have nowhere to go to release their extra energy," he said, adding that "the new parks are ideal places to spend the whole day." Moreover, according to Zaghloul, it is a profitable business. A feasibility study estimates that if all goes well, the park would have covered the investment put into it in five years. He added that he chose to build his park on the outskirts of the city not only because no large plots of land are available within city perimeters, but also to establish a centre of attraction for the new communities which are being built around Cairo.
The new amusement parks are different not only in appearance but in the price of their tickets. Rather than charge an entry fee of around LE3 and a ticket of LE2 to LE5 for each ride, the three largest parks, including state-owned Magic Land, sell a package ticket worth LE40 that allows visitors to enjoy all the games and rides without being charged additional fees. However, Zaki of Sindbad prefers to put Magic Land in a different category, saying that it has more to offer -- including making movies on location and a dolphin show -- than simply rides and games.
The one-ticket system, according to Zaghloul, is easier to control, especially with a large park. Visitors, however, have different views. Omar Hazem, 16, was thrilled to spend the whole day and get on all the rides as often as he wanted. On the other hand, not everyone can afford the steep price. Sherine Abdel-Wahab, a housewife and mother of three children, said she could only visit once a year. "I cannot afford to pay LE160 every time I want to take my kids out," she said. "And I have to pay for the ticket even if I do not take any rides."
However, Zaghloul said that discounts are offered to large groups, schools and universities. Zaki believes that the regular payment system is more accommodating to visitors because they can decide which rides they will take according to their budget. He says visitors spend an average of LE15 per visit, covering the entry ticket and three or four rides.
