NewZNew (Chandigarh) : Shah Rukh Khan backed KidZania, the global chain of role-play centres for children, will be opening its second India facility in Noida in early 2016. The KidZania India is funded by Imagination Edutainment Pvt. Ltd. Bollywood Superstar Shah Rukh Khan owns a 26% stake in the company in his personal capacity. The remaining 74% of ImagiNation Edutainment India Pvt. Ltd. is owned by Singapore-based KidZ Inc. whose shareholders are Comcraft Group, Xander Group and Maxfield Management Ltd.
In what is slated to be one of the largest edutainment theme parks in Asia, KidZania India is set to launch its first North India facility in Delhi NCR and second facility in the country, come early 2016. India’s first centre, KidZania Mumbai recently completed 24 months of operations, hosting 850,000+ visitors and 36 brand partnerships to date.
KidZania Delhi is a 147-acre development located at the Entertainment City in Noida, which houses the largest retail and entertainment destination in Delhi NCR. The indoor theme-park, KidZania is a city, built-to-scale across 3 whole levels, and will carry an area of nearly 97,000sq.ft. and will host up to 1800 visitors at a given time based on a mix of 65% children and 35% adults. The operating cash break-even on an annualised basis in Delhi NCR is expected within 12 months of launch, and is expected to break-even in 5-6 years.
The new project will have new establishments that include an underground archaeology facility, a stadium for children to play in, and an aircraft installed overhead, protuding at the entrance to bring out real life experiences for children. Built like a city for children, KidZania, the world-over is the fastest growing indoor edutainment theme park that makes learning fun. Across its 20 facilities globally, KidZania emulates the workings of a real city but built to scale for children with paved roads, battery-operated vehicles, buildings, a functioning economy and its own currency.
Based on the philosophy of providing real–life experiences, KidZania empowers, inspires, motivates and educates children through the 90+ role-playing activities based on replicas of real-world industries and services including, entertainment, airline, automobile, retail, restaurants, factories and other private and public services. Here, children can take on various roles, including that of a pilot, surgeon, detective, chef, candy-maker, fireman, television producer, radio jockey, mechanic and other diverse professions.
Sanjeev Kumar, CEO, KidZania India says, “Coming to the capital city has always been on the cards for us, and working with a diverse group of industry professionals and partners will bring a truly genuine experience to the children. We believe that KidZania Delhi NCR will be home to myriad avenues for the coming generations, opening doors for talent to grow through the path of education and entertainment in an environment that fosters leadership and development.”
KidZania provides brands with a sustainable consumer engagement platform. It is a game-changer with the perfect mix of education, entertainment, CSR, and marketing. Brands build realism and add authenticity to the experience that children have in KidZania. With a few months to launch-date, the Delhi NCR facility has already signed up 18 brands.
Key brands from Mumbai that have extended their partnerships for the Delhi NCR facility are Parle (Biscuit Factory), Yes! Bank (ATM and Bank), Toonz Animation (Animation Studio), DHL (Express delivery service), Bajaj Electricals Ltd. (Culinary school and Energy Conservation Hub), Pepperfry (Furniture studio and Lounge), Zespri Kiwifruit (quality control and inspection hub), Shiamak (Dance studio), Big Bazaar (Supermarket), E-Zone (Electronics store), Amity University (University), Kellogg’s Chocos (Cereal factory) and Furtados School of Music (Music School). Brands that have forged new ties with KidZania Delhi NCR include Frooti (Mango drink factory), Kinder Joy (Chocolate factory) and Amiown (Pre-school).
Viraj Jit Singh, Chief Marketing Officer, KidZania India says, “We’ve built great experiences for children and families through KidZania Mumbai and we want to extend the same to people in the capital region. With KidZania Delhi NCR, we hope to reach out to as many children with powerful experiences that help them develop educationally, psychologically and motivationally. Our brand partnerships will aid in providing authentic experiences which will pave the way for responsible future leaders.”
KidZania promotes real-life, hands-on experiences that simulates the routine of various occupations in their myriad establishments. Kids are allowed to partake in activities as professionals, as well as customers in establishments like the bank, departmental store and supermarket, allowing them to learn, earn or spend their own currency, KidZos.
The KidZania concept has been a proven success in 20 cities internationally including London, Dubai, Jeddah, Lisbon, Cairo, Manila, Tokyo and its start-point, Santa Fe. Currently functional in Mumbai, India’s first facility, KidZania has seen a footfall of over 8.5 lakh visitors with over 500 schools having visited in the last 24 months.
