IMG Worlds of Adventure Appoints International Leisure-Park Industry Leader, Lennard Otto, As New CEO
With the upcoming opening of IMG Worlds of Adventure, the world’s largest indoor theme park in early 2016, IMG Theme Park L.L.C. has promoted industry leader, Lennard Otto to Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
As CEO, Mr. Otto will oversee the strategic vision, direction and operational leadership of the park, working to establish IMG Worlds of Adventure as a prominent international theme park with a unique and immersive experience. As a successful industry leader with over a decade of experience in developing leisure parks, Mr. Otto will spearhead the park’s future development, with an expansion plan that includes worldwide outreach.
Mr. Otto will leverage his prior experience in large hospitality and entertainment-based facilities including resorts, outdoor and indoor waterparks, beachfront developments, theme parks and adventure facilities. As CEO, Mr. Otto is focused on building the brand for the state of the art, interactive theme park, offering the highest standards of guest service whilst introducing 25 new retail outlets and 28 Food & Beverage concepts to cater for the wider audience.
Commenting on Mr. Otto’s promotion, Executive Co-Chairmen and Owners Mr. Ilyas Galadari and Mr. Mustafa Galadari said, “As a popular and experienced industry leader, we are delighted to entrust Lennard Otto with spearheading the launch of IMG Worlds of Adventure. He has demonstrated outstanding success, launching and managing hospitality and entertainment destinations worldwide. With a formidable track record of launching large hospitality developments both regionally and on an international front, Mr. Otto is ideally placed for the role. His innovative leadership will ensure that the strategic positioning of IMG Worlds of Adventure is at the forefront of the themed entertainment landscape in the region for years to come.”
Mr. Otto added, ‘I am extremely proud and honoured to lead the team at IMG Worlds of Adventure. As the first world-class theme park in Dubai to open next year, we will offer our guests an interactive and immersive entertainment experience. I am also excited for the future development of the park as I believe we have a highly replicable model that we can look to take into a global space in the future.’
Mr. Otto has held several senior management roles across major leisure designations throughout South Africa and the Middle East, with groups including John Buck International, Majid Al Futtaim, Atlantis and The Jumeirah Group.
Active within the professional community Mr. Otto has conducted a number of lectures and panel discussions at international industry events.
IMG Worlds of Adventure is a mega-themed entertainment destination, with four epic adventure zones: Cartoon Network, MARVEL, Lost Valley –Dinosaur Adventure and IMG Boulevard, each offering an unforgettable, interactive experience. The park is set to open in early 2016, with the capacity to welcome more than 20,000 guests a day and will be the world’s largest indoor theme park at 1.5 million square feet.