By Mohammad Shoeb

DOHA: With rising population and growing number of schools in Qatar there is a huge demand for edutainment theme parks in the country says an industry expert.

“Qatar is a family destination. It’s a fast growing market with so many new schools opening every year. Our market studies suggest that there are opportunities for investments in the sector especially for developing innovative edutainment concepts. I believe it will continue to remain viable” said Nabil Barakat General Manager of KidzMondo Doha.

KidzMondo Doha is a one of the largest upcoming indoor edutainment theme parks in Qatar which is set to open in August. It will support the interactive fun and learning experience for young minds at the facility. Being part of the Mall of Qatar the educative indoor theme park is an awareness facility for playful learning which has been especially designed for children aged between two and 14 years and their parents. It is anticipating some 350000 (65pc children and 35pc adults) visitors during 2017 out of the nearly 20 million footfall the Mall of Qatar is expecting during the year. “Initially we may not find the volume and traffic that our facility can support but within very short time we expect that the number will exceed our expectations” added Nabil.

“There are activities to be done. So far as the variety of activities is concerned it is underserved. So there is a need for new concepts to enter the market.”

The KidzMondo Doha park is a miniature replica of a real city where children will get to role-play as adults in over 60 occupations and professions. It is an ideal forum where social rules and values are promoted and ingrained in children to prepare them to behave as good adult citizens would in real life.

He said even the concepts being introduced by KidzMondo Doha need to be evolving as kids tend to get bored with same activities after some time. “The learning process among the younger generation is much faster than their predecessors. So they always look for something new.”

He said since the concept of edutainment evolves with education it is changing worldwide fast.

The edutainment theme parks will also be required to evolve with the same pace to be in the business for long.

To a question on the possible impact of lower oil prices on his business he said: “We do not see a prolonged lower energy prices impacting our kind of businesses in a big way. As long as families and children exist parents will continue to invest in their children’s education and skills development.

The government is also working hard to encourage tourism especially family tourism.” Built on an indoor area of about 8000sqm KidzMondo Doha will partner with over 60 brands that will sponsor activities in the kids’ city.

On challenges he said getting the right kind of qualified staff and securing partnership with potential sponsor and partners is not easy. “However we have secured about 95 percent of potential partners including Qatar Airways Woqod Ooredoo QIIB among others.”

KidzMondo Doha is in the process of hiring over 200 staff including educators coordinators supervisors and other middle and top level management expected to be completed before June-end. The Peninsula