Six Flags to open Qatar theme park in 2012

[ALIASd]

Oryx Holdings and Six Flags Announce Strategic Partnership to Develop Six Flags Branded Location in Qatar

DOHA, Qatar, Dec. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Qatar Entertainment City (QEC), the mixed-use development in Lusail, Qatar announced today in a signing ceremony between Oryx Holdings, a Qatari based diversified group, and Six Flags, Inc., one of the largest, most widely recognized theme park operators in the world, that a Six Flags branded location will be open within QEC by mid-year 2012.

The signing ceremony took place at the Four Seasons Hotel, Qatar, attended by Assam Shaikh - Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Oryx Holdings; Mark Shapiro - President and Chief Executive Officer, Six Flags; and Yousef Darwish - General Manager, Qatar Entertainment City.

Under the binding agreement, Six Flags will provide concept development and planning services to Oryx Holdings for the creation of a 50,000 square meter (500,000 square ft) Six Flags branded location within QEC. Once this initial phase is finalized, Six Flags and Oryx Holdings will collaborate on the detailed design, development, construction and management of the branded location.

Oryx Holdings Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Assam Shaikh commented, "Six Flags brings 47 years of theme park industry experience and a world renowned entertainment brand to create a best in class tourist destination within QEC. The partnership will help further establish and push Qatar's initiatives for family tourism, attracting investments as well as keeping in-line with its growing economy. For the implementation, Qatari resources will be sought in all elements of the project as and when available."

Mark Shapiro, President and Chief Executive Officer said, "Extending the Six Flags footprint beyond Dubai represents another strategic step in our international expansion and further solidifies our reputation as a world-wide leader in family entertainment. We are thrilled to be on the ground floor of what will surely be a treasured destination."


Yousef Ali Darwish, General Manager of QEC said, "There is no time to waste in the development of what will be the most attractive tourist destination within the region. Thanks to the expertise of Six Flags and Oryx Holdings, QEC is on its way to becoming the place of choice to have a relaxed and entertaining time for families - whether residents or visitors alike. This is in-line with the original strategy to attract major international partners for QEC."

Six Flags, Inc. :: Oryx Holdings and Six Flags Announce Strategic Partnership to Develop Six Flags Branded Location in Qatar

[LLCMC]

Sounds similar to the situation in Dubai. Must be the wave of the future in Middle Eastern tourist cities! Wish I could get over there to check some of it out when it is all up and running.