Latest news with #immersiveexperiences
Khaleej Times
05-08-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Inside Rixos Tersane Istanbul: A new era of multigenerational luxury in Türkiye
For years, Türkiye has enjoyed a loyal following among GCC travellers — a sun-soaked escape offering rich heritage, warm hospitality, and favourable proximity. But something deeper is happening now. As luxury travel habits shift, the region's elite are no longer content with seasonal getaways. They're craving immersive experiences, multi-generational moments, and places that resonate on a personal level. At the heart of this transformation stands Rixos Tersane Istanbul, a property that is not merely redefining luxury in Türkiye — it is reimagining how luxury hospitality connects with culture, legacy, and family. "We've witnessed a beautiful evolution," says Fettah Tamince, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Rixos Hotels. "GCC travellers have not just increased in number, they've matured in their expectations. Today, they seek destinations that speak to their identity, their heritage, and their desire for meaningful experiences." A Lifestyle Destination Open since September 2024, Rixos Tersane Istanbul is nestled along the historic shores of the Golden Horn, in the heart of what was once a 600-year-old Ottoman shipyard. "This is not just a property," Tamince says. "It's the beating heart of a new lifestyle ecosystem. Within the Tersane district, we are building something that speaks directly to Gulf families, whether you're travelling with children, grandparents, or an entire private group." From the largest luxury retail zone in Europe to immersive wellness sanctuaries, elite sports arenas, curated fine dining, and family-centric entertainment, Rixos Tersane offers a seamless blend of recreation and relaxation. "It's not a check-in point," Tamince adds. "It's a destination that defines what multigenerational luxury should look like." For Gulf travelers who value depth alongside indulgence, the Tersane district's historical setting is a key draw. With its centuries-old maritime legacy, it delivers something increasingly rare in the global luxury circuit: authenticity. "This is where legacy and luxury intersect," says Tamince. "At Rixos Tersane Istanbul, our guests walk through living history with every modern indulgence at their fingertips. For Gulf travellers who want more than a five-star stay; who want meaning behind the marble, this is the answer." According to Tamince, exclusivity at Rixos is not about gatekeeping, it's about deepening the guest journey. "Exclusivity is not about restricting access; it's about elevating experience,' he explains. 'We are not scaling rooms, we are scaling personalisation. Through tailored guest journeys, private butlers, and curated cultural moments, we ensure that every stay feels rare and unforgettable." Türkiye's Unique Position When asked how Turkish luxury hospitality plans to rival legendary destinations like the French Riviera or Switzerland, Tamince's response is firm yet poetic. "We don't compete, we differentiate," he says. "Istanbul was once the capital of empires. Every stone, every street tells a story. Gulf elites are not just drawn to indulgence, they're drawn to soul. And that soul is uniquely alive here. Turkish luxury hospitality, especially in Istanbul, stands on the shoulders of a civilisation that has been welcoming royalty, traders, and travellers for centuries." He continues, "With Rixos Tersane Istanbul leading the way, we are not offering just luxury, we are offering legacy. That is something no Riviera or Alpine resort can replicate."
Khaleej Times
14-07-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Tech-driven, experiential shopping redefines Dubai retail
Dubai's retail sector is undergoing a dramatic transformation as immersive experiences, digital innovation, and entertainment-led concepts take centre stage. With retail transactions worth Dh587 million recorded in the second quarter of 2025 alone, the emirate is underpinning its status as one of the world's most vibrant consumer markets. According to CRC Property's latest report, The CRC Edit, which tracks retail trends and commercial activity across the UAE, the future of retail is increasingly intertwined with storytelling, technology, and experience. With the announcement of Disneyland Abu Dhabi, the region is poised for an even larger leap into the realm of experiential commerce, positioning itself as a global hub for lifestyle, leisure and retail investment. 'Disneyland Abu Dhabi isn't just a tourism announcement — it's a turning point for how we think about retail and commercial development in the UAE,' said Behnam Bargh, managing director of CRC. 'It signals long-term growth across sectors like hospitality, food and beverage, real estate and especially experiential retail. We expect heightened investor interest, especially around Yas Island, and a ripple effect across Dubai and the wider region.' Retail industry watchers argue that as experiential design becomes the norm and digital fluency defines physical spaces, retail in the UAE is no longer just about shelves and storefronts. It is about 'stories, spectacles and unforgettable journeys — crafted not only to satisfy consumer demand but to shape it,' they said. CRC's Q2 2025 data offers a glimpse into the current strength of Dubai's retail property market. A total of 232 retail transactions were recorded, amounting to Dh587 million in value. The most active locations included Business Bay, Jumeirah Village Circle, Mohammed Bin Rashid City, Arjan, and Dubai Marina — areas that are witnessing strong population growth and evolving consumer demographics. One of the most defining characteristics of Dubai's retail evolution is the integration of technology into physical shopping environments. Nearly 90 per cent of UAE shoppers use digital tools while browsing in-store, and 71 per cent engage with features like augmented reality (AR), interactive kiosks, in-store mobile apps, and QR-activated promotions. The shift isn't just in what consumers buy, but how they want to feel while buying it. Dubai's community malls — once mere convenience centres — are now platforms for digitally enhanced journeys. Smart mirrors, AR fitting rooms, and interactive touchpoints are being introduced at a rapid pace, particularly in mid-sized lifestyle malls catering to younger audiences and families. Global consultancy McKinsey & Co. has observed similar shifts across major retail destinations, noting that 'digital integration and personalization are now critical levers for in-store growth.' In Dubai, this transition is happening faster than in many Western cities, driven by a tech-savvy population and a government pushing digital-first initiatives. Beyond shopping, the dining experience in the city has also evolved dramatically. CRC's report highlights the explosive growth of 'immersive dining,' where theatrical performances, art, and multisensory storytelling now complement culinary excellence. Concepts like Krasota — a 360-degree visual gastronomy theatre — and Le Petit Chef, with its animated 3D tabletop performances, are setting new benchmarks. 'Dubai is no longer satisfied with good food and service,' the report notes. 'It wants spectacle, it wants theatre, it wants story.' This shift reflects a broader trend in the UAE's post-pandemic consumer psyche — one that values novelty, emotion, and Instagrammable moments as much as the core product. Dining out has become about entertainment and engagement, and successful F&B concepts are those that blend taste with surprise. This is reinforced by Dubai's overarching economic strategy. According to a Dubai Chamber of Commerce study, the emirate's retail sales are projected to reach over $70.5 billion in 2025, fuelled by rising tourism, growing affluence, and a flourishing e-commerce ecosystem. Meanwhile, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism has outlined plans to make the city the 'experience capital of the world,' with retail playing a central role in that narrative. 'Dubai's retail landscape is no longer just about transactions,' said an industry analyst from CBRE. 'It's about destinations. Whether it's shopping, dining, or leisure, everything is curated, themed and infused with technology. That's where the future is headed — and Dubai is already there.' With developments like Disneyland Abu Dhabi, hyper-themed malls, and immersive retail zones in the pipeline, the trajectory is clear: Dubai is not just adapting to global retail trends; it is setting them.
Bloomberg
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Bloomberg
Billions of Fans Anticipate Netflix's New Adventure
As the $76 billion industry evolves, everyone is racing to capture attention and market share through immersive experiences in a space dominated by traditional media players, Disney and NBCUniversal. While legacy parks rely on decades-old IP and massive capital investments, Netflix is tapping into fan obsession with shows like Stranger Things and Squid Game to launch live experiences in malls and cities worldwide. At the same time, family-owned Herschend is betting that old is gold to keep visitors coming back to parks like Silver Dollar City. (Source: Bloomberg)
Sky News
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News
From niche to a billion pound industry: How immersive events have taken over
While cinemas are struggling and London's West End has witnessed a significant escalation in ticket prices, creatives behind immersive experiences say their sector is experiencing "a gold rush moment". From shows built around obvious fan bases - such as Mamma Mia! The Party - to those working with established intellectual property, including Squid Game: The Experience, the UK has proven to be a world leader when it comes shows that make audiences feel part of the action, rather than just observers. Little Lion Entertainment are the team behind two shows currently running in the UK: Pac-Man Live in Manchester and the Crystal Maze Live in London. Its CEO Tom Lionetti told Sky News: "There has been a real boom in the experience economy… It kind of feels like a bit of a gold rush moment in this industry. "It's not nascent anymore, it really is a big industry and it's getting bigger. "West End theatre is incredibly expensive at the moment and even cinema can be expensive for what it is, so I think it's about caring about the experience … you've got to consider value for money these days." Their Crystal Maze show challenges ticketholders to climb through tunnels and collect crystals just like contestants on the '90s programme. And it's one of the longest-running immersive shows in the world, still going strong in London 15 years after the concept was first staged. "The genesis really was this idea of breaking the fourth wall," Lionetti says. "I was an actor and I come from a theatre background, but what we were really intrigued with was giving people agency so you become the star of the show." Last year, according to the Gensler Research Institute's 2025 Immersive Entertainment & Culture Industry Report, the global market for immersive entertainment was valued at £98bn - and it's projected to reach £351bn by 2030. Despite times being financially tough post-pandemic, while cinemas have been struggling to put bums on seats, the continued popularity of experience events could indicate consumers are being a little more choosy about what they spend their hard-earned wages on. Our eagerness to show off on social media could also account for some of what's driving the boom, as well as the isolating nature of how technology-dependant we've become. As Secret Cinema's senior creative director, Matt Costain, explains: "Whether it's competitive socialising or immersive experiences, people are look for something that offers them more… and this is an example of an activity where people can come together and have a sense of community." Secret Cinema - which combines live performance and film screenings - has been staging events for 15 years now. In that time, they've partnered with major studios from Marvel to Netflix. Their latest offering will run from August see them bring Grease's Rydell High to life. Costain says: "When we first started this was niche, film fans who wanted to dress up and keep a secret… but immersive has moved mainstream and we've found ourselves one of two or three companies who've been in it since the beginning. "Part of our job as artists is to help people remember that they really love to play." He jokes that those "who find it the most difficult to get started" are invariably the ones "at 11pm with their tie tied around their head and dancing on a table". While there are many shows working with established intellectual property (IP), there are also some hugely creative original works also being produced - Storehouse being one of those. For 16 weeks, attendees at Staged in Deptford, which was once the archival store for Rupert Murdoch's News International, will be guided through a story that takes place inside a 'digital memory palace' that supposedly houses every story, message, memory, and meme since the dawn of the internet. Produced by Sage & Jester, its lead producer Rosalyn Newbery explains: "You're not moving into a theatre with infrastructure, put it this way, we literally had to bring electricity to the venue, bring power to the venue, bring water to the venue, none of that was there for us… it's a big old job and there's a lot of detail that you can't take for granted." Over 7,000 crew worked more than 57,000 hours to build the set. Getting a show of this size and scale off the ground is a feat in itself. As creative director Sophie Larsmon says: "There are a lot of people trying to get these projects off the ground and there are a lot of projects that never see the light of day…because of the hoops that have to be jumped through for licensing and financing. "It takes huge amounts of creative effort, I've seen a lot of projects where quite late in the process the green light is taken away." While some creators might struggle to access support because the work doesn't fit into traditional cultural boxes, it is certainly an industry that's worth shining a spotlight on. As Larsom says: "The UK has always led the way in developing this form… I think people are cottoning on to the fact that this is a sector [that's] going to be a big revenue earner for the UK."
Reuters
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Reuters
Netflix set to launch third themed venue in Las Vegas
June 17 (Reuters) - Netflix (NFLX.O), opens new tab said on Tuesday it will launch a third themed entertainment venue in 2027, this time in Las Vegas, as the company looks to broaden its brand presence and profile beyond streaming. The "Netflix House" allows fans to immerse themselves in the worlds of their favorite shows and movies and will include themed gift shops featuring exclusive merchandise and restaurants. The streaming giant's latest initiative enables it to generate additional revenue and diversify its business model, increasing customer loyalty and strengthening Netflix's market position by innovating in the entertainment space. The first two Netflix Houses will open in Philadelphia at King of Prussia Mall and in Dallas at Galleria Dallas in late 2025. "This is fandom coming to life, where you can actually step inside the worlds you've been watching and loving for years," marketing chief Marian Lee said. The location in Philadelphia will debut experiences based on popular titles called "Wednesday: Eve of the Outcasts" and "ONE PIECE: Quest for the Devil Fruit." The Dallas venue will house immersive experiences titled "Stranger Things: Escape the Dark" and "Squid Game: Survive the Trials."
