Synonymous with leisure and entertainment in Saudi Arabia and beyond, the Al Hokair Group is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary.
The company’s founder and chairman, Sheikh Abdul Mohsen Al Hokair is recognised as a pioneer within the Arabian amusement industry. As one of the earliest industry investors in the region, he secured an edge that the Al Hokair Group still enjoys today at its 55 amusement facilities both within the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and various Gulf countries, the Middle East and North Africa. Together these outlets employ over 6,000 staff and entertain over 10 million guests a year.
“Before 1961, kids and families might have set out on a vacation that include traditional play and uncomfortable attractions,” notes current group CEO Majed Al Hokair. “But that year one man created a better vision of entertainment and changed the way Saudi Arabia vacations.”
The company’s flagship property is Al Hokair Land in Rabwa Park, Riyadh. Located behind the colourful walls of this indoor/outdoor fantasy land, families will find theming and architecture inspired by the Arabian peninsula, Africa villages, Europe, America and the Far East. Complementing the rides and attractions are restaurants, retail offerings, electronic games, theatre and exhibition spaces. Other outdoor venues include Luna Parks in Al Madinah and Taif, plus waterparks in Riyadh, Yanbu and Damman.
Many of Al Hokair’s other properties follow the family entertainment centre model, located inside air-conditioned shopping malls. Its brands include Fun Town, Fun Time, Fun Studio, Happy Farm, Jamboo, Sparky’s, Metropolis, Movie Town, Digital Land, Digi Fun, Oceanica, Tim Tech and Vortex. Across the group, the company operates almost 700 rides.
More specialised offerings include the Abcarino/Smart Kids edutainment model on offer in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dharan, and a new Extreme concept aimed at teenagers and young adults featuring go-karts, 10-pin bowling, snooker, air hockey and video games.
As well as its own MENA Hotels & Resorts business, Al Hokair also operates local franchises for a number of leading international hotel brands including Holiday Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, Golden Tulip and Novotel. Furthermore the group is responsible for franchising a number of food and drink brands that share mall space with its FECs, including Brioche Dorée, Haagen-Dazs Cafe and Perky’s Pizza.
As it enters its sixth decade, the Al Hokair Group will continue to design and build new amusement outlets and tourist projects all over Saudi Arabia and beyond.
“As we build each of our entertainment centres, we will be talking great care to keep our traditions and beliefs in tact, “concludes chairman Abdul Mohsen Al Hokair. “Our goal is to create modern and distinguished amusement centres that maintain our national market leading position and serve our guests in providing a safe, clean and quality product.”
Pictured below: Majed Al Hokair and colleagues celebrate the anniversary with a cake.
