 Interest in extreme sports in the Middle East has escalated since originating out of urban games popular with the regions youth in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries. Its is now not at all unusual to find skate parks in the depths of Saudi Arabia or more metropolitan areas with the most profilfic being Emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. . There are many extrinsic factors that bode well for extreme sports in the Middle East. Adrenaline Fueled activities and events in the region are on the rise, in 2008 over 19,000 visited the Adrenaline Sports event billed as the regions number one adrenaline and extreme sports festival it saw hundreds of exhibitors and showcase’s of international sports and equipment.
2009 is set to continue its growth despite a slow economy, this is due
mainly to the regions young demographic when compared to more
traditional markets in Europe and the USA. In Europe and the USA there
is a 7% projected growth of 18-30-year-olds between 2005 and 2010 but
in the Middle East the estimate is 12%, this growth coupled with a
change in culture and a passion for Adrenaline and Extreme sports among
most of the youth means that Extreme Sports suppliers, tour operators
and companies are establishing in the region as quickly as they can.
The Middle East will certainly provide a greater potential base for the
sports, particularly as this growth is marginally higher amongst men,
who tend to dominate extreme sports participation and interest in the
Middle East region. Abu Dhabi is taking a lead as the regions extreme
sports hub, it is where XGames, the Adrenaline Sports Festival and a
number of high profile sports events such as the Red Bull Air Race are
helf.
The strength of the GCC economy is also an encouraging factor. As
disposable income and consumer confidence continues to rise then those
interested in the sports will be more able to spend money on the
appropriate equipment and participation. Where extreme sports holidays
are considered, a strong economy is even more essential as they are
more likely to be a secondary break and thus ones which might be
foregone if the economy is perceived as weak. The Middle East region
certainly has a consumer base with a disposable income, many of which
have been involved in a number of extreme sports as diverse as sky
dives, dune bashing and adventure diving. With a wide terrain of
Middle Eastern countries offering tours well within budget and with
budget airline operators starting to operate in the region, nowhere is
inaccessible to the budding extreme sports fanatic.
Extreme sports sometimes also called action sports, adventure sports or
adrenaline sports is a media term for certain activities perceived as
having a high level of inherent danger. These activities often involve
speed, height, high level of physical exertion, highly specialized gear
or spectacular stunts but in the Middle East there really are no such
boundaries. An A-Z of extreme sports available in the Middle East is
available on the Adrenaline.ae website and serves as a good point of
reference to those interested in extreme sports activities in the
region.
While use of the term "extreme sport" has spread far and wide to
describe a multitude of different activities, exactly which sports are
considered 'extreme' is debatable. There are however several
characteristics common to most extreme sports. While not the exclusive
domain of youth, extreme sports tend to have a younger-than-average
target demographic. Extreme sports are rarely sanctioned by schools.
Last update : 20-09-2009 21:15
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By: diflucan () on 10-03-2010 13:08