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The mantra of 'work hard, play hard' is embraced by UAE residents, who strive to maintain a healthy work-life balance by stepping away from their jobs to enjoy entertainment and relaxation. A recent survey highlights that 97 per cent of UAE residents engage in entertainment activities at least once a month. Over 1,000 individuals across the country participated in the YouGov poll to share their entertainment habits. The Entertainment & Sports Report by communications agency duke+mir further revealed that 81 per cent of UAE residents have at least one paid entertainment subscription, contrasting with the 30 per cent who rarely use their subscriptions and might consider cancelling them. Additionally, the study found that seven out of ten people dine out weekly, reflecting a strong preference for dining experiences ranging from Michelin-starred restaurants to casual coffee bars.
Latvian expat and PR professional Vlada Lomova enjoys exploring Dubai's vibrant offerings over the weekends. She shared with Khaleej Times, 'I go out each weekend and often try to find something exciting – from concerts at Dubai Opera to new coffee places. I love discovering new spots, brands, pop-ups, special events, and projects.' Lomova also emphasized her preference for outdoor activities, especially given Dubai's perfect weather, where she engages in sports in the morning and spends her day with friends at the beach or attending events, concerts, and exhibitions.
For Sharjah resident Nisrin Arsiwala, weekends are a time to unwind and bond with family. 'The best strategy for our family is gathering together and cooking meals at home, watching a movie, or playing board games. We generally step out twice or once a month for movies,' she added.
Jonathan Ivan-Duke, co-founder and partner at duke+mir, noted, 'UAE residents enjoy dining out. Around 70 per cent of the residents dine out every week – a huge boost for the booming restaurant scene.' He further highlighted Dubai's culinary diversity, with approximately 27,000 restaurants and cafes spread across the city, making it a popular pastime for residents.
The trend of subscribing to various paid entertainment services is on the rise in the UAE, mirroring a global shift towards a subscription-based economy, expected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2025. The study revealed that entertainment subscriptions in the UAE span across platforms like Netflix and Amazon, as well as e-books, online fitness, sports streaming, music, and podcast streaming. By 2025, the global online subscription economy is projected to hit $1.5 trillion, with nearly a third of people holding unwanted subscriptions, potentially costing millions in dormant accounts.
Other key findings from the report include: Nearly 4 in 10 people (37 per cent) enjoy watching sports, 24 per cent go to the cinema, and 23 per cent attend live performances every week. Two-thirds (66 per cent) engage in sports weekly for entertainment, with 75 per cent of young people aged 18-24 participating in some form of sporting activity each week. About 73 per cent of young people play video games weekly, with 31 per cent of 18–24-year-olds having a paid gaming subscription.
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