Airport Experience® News - Retail & Amenities Issue 2023

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Once Stand-Alone Amenities, Gaming And Youth Themes Enter Evolving Lounge Landscape

BY ANDREW TELL I JOHN

Whether they choose Fortnite, Gran Turismo, League of Legends or several sports themed titles, travelers at Dubai International Airport (DXB) can cozy up to a console, grab a high-resolution headset and game away their dwell time. DXB claims to be the first airport in the Middle East to incorporate gaming into its lounge space. The Game Space lounge, open 24 hours a day and available to all passengers for a fee, opened the lounge in late 2022. It’s located in Terminal 3 in the DXB Family Zone. Game Space debuted in November to coincide with the FIFA World Cup soccer tournament. “The launch provided travelers with the opportunity to make the most of the sporting fever,” says Game Space Co-Director Errol McGlothan. “It turned wait time into game time, delighting travelers with popular games.”

New Concept At DXB Gaming lounges at DXB aren’t designed to replace traditional lounges, McGlothan says. They’re a category of their own, offering travelers an additional choice for how they spend their time. Game Space, a partner of Airport Dimensions , is equipped with the latest in virtual reality and personal computer devices. It’s accessible to all travelers with packages starting from 30 minutes to unlimited hours daily or unlimited gaming through Priority Pass and Lounge Key memberships. “We offer a large selection of games suitable for children, teenagers and adults,” McGlothan says. “There are 40 game stations, each boasting 50-inch screens and side-by-side seating for solo or multi-player gaming. We’ve seen an extremely positive

Above, Below: Dubai International Airport last year became the Middle East’s first airport to incorporate gaming with a high-tech, 24-hour Game Space in its Terminal 3.

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