Majid Al Futtaim Ventures to expand VOX Cinemas across the region

VOX Cinemas, the region’s most progressive cinema operator, has announced an aggressive growth plan that will see the launch of five new VOX Cinema locations in 2013, doubling the company’s screen count. This includes a strategic expansion into new and emerging markets across the Middle East, with two VOX Cinemas planned in Oman and one location in Beirut, Lebanon. VOX Cinemas will additionally increase its presence in the UAE, adding twonewVOX Cinemas including expansion into the northern Emirates increasing the total cinema count to 10 cinemas by the end of2013, and more than doubling the company’s screen count. 

 “Building upon the successful platform the VOX Cinemas brand has achieved in the UAE, Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas is poised for further growth as it looks to enter new, emerging markets,” said Ahmed Galal Ismail, Chief Executive Officer of Majid Al Futtaim Ventures. “This reflects the wider vision of Majid Al Futtaim Ventures to grow its entertainment concepts across the Middle East region, and we are confident that VOX Cinemas will continue to redefine the entertainment landscape in these new – and future markets.” 

Introducing the big screen, luxurious cinema and dining concept to markets outside the UAE, VOX Cinemas is set to open in early 2013 in Beirut City Centre, a new shopping and lifestyle destination currently underdevelopment by Majid Al Futtaim Properties. With 100% of screens digitally-enabled, VOX Cinemas has invested in the latest technologies for its debut in Lebanon, bringing a first-class cinema experience that will feature the mega-screen VOX MAX concept, the premium VOX GOLD concept and enhanced VOX 3D and VIP alternatives.

Muscat, Oman has also been identified as a growth market, reinforced by VOX Cinemas’ plans to develop two VOX Cinemas locations in 2013 with both projected to open by December 2013. The new cinemas will raise the standards of the cinematic experience for the community, which is still relatively under serviced in comparison to other Middle Eastern cinema markets. Features of the new VOX Cinemas in Oman will include exclusive ‘VIP’ seating which offer larger, more spacious seats, digitally-enabled big screens and flexible ticketing options to create a dynamic movie-going experience for residents.

“The VOX Cinemas business has aggressive growth plans that include entry into new, emerging markets across the region and expansion within the United Arab Emirates,” said Cameron Mitchell, CEO of VOX Cinemas. “Using our big screen VOX MAX and premium VOX GOLD concepts, which have been a resounding success in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, we’re looking to raise the benchmark of cinema standards across the Middle East. By the end of 2013, we will have launched fivenew VOX Cinemas, and have entered threenew markets – Oman and Lebanon, and Fujairah in the UAE, with more expansion plans to be announced soon.”

Within the UAE, VOX Cinemas is continuing to expand the VOX Cinemas business in Dubai and increasing its presence in the emerging northern Emirates. Projected to open in Q1, 2013, VOX Cinemas is bringing the community’s first-ever big-screen cinema experience with the VOX MAX concept at Fujairah City Centre - the first and largest lifestyle shopping mall in the Emirate, which opened earlier this year. Featuring a total of 11 screens, including a VOX MAX and two VIP cinemas, VOX Cinemas will meet the maturing needs of the growing Fujairah population with its state-of-the-art surround sound and digitally-enhanced screens.  

Within Dubai, VOX Cinemas will open a sixth location in the UAE with a VOX Cinemas to open a completely renovated 7-screen cinemain Mercato Mall to feature a new and enhanced VIP cinema offering for the Jumeirah community, an expanded food and beverage offering, and service levels that eclipse all expectations.

VOX Cinemas’ growth plans are part of Majid Al Futtaim Ventures’strategic objectiveto expand the VOX Cinemas brand and introduce its successful and innovative cinematic concepts across the GCC and wider Middle East and North Africa regions. With the recent rollout of digital cinema technology across all its UAE screens, VOX Cinemas today offers more digital sessions and more 3D screens per location than any other cinema company in the region.