IMG Worlds of Adventure, coming to the UAE early next year, has appointed industry veteran Lennard Otto as its new chief executive officer.

Otto, who previously held roles in managerial positions at Wadi Adventure, Majid Al Futtaim and Atlantis The Palm, has also acted as assistant operations manager for Jumeirah, and has been Worlds of Adventure general manager since the start of 2014.

Acting as CEO, Otto will oversee the park’s strategic vision, direction and operational leadership, working to establish the attraction as one of the Middle East’s leading theme park destinations. Otto will also spearhead the park’s future development, with plans to expand on the existing attraction and to attract a global audience.

"As a popular and experienced industry leader, we are delighted to entrust Lennard Otto with spearheading the launch of IMG Worlds of Adventure,” said the park’s executive co-chairs and owners, Ilyas Galadari and Mustafa Galadari, in a statement.

“Otto 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, he 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.”

Covering 1.5 million sq ft (139,354sq m), Worlds of Adventure will be the world’s largest indoor theme park when it opens in Dubai in early 2016. The themed entertainment destination, will feature four zones based on Cartoon Network, Marvel, Lost Valley - Dinosaur Adventure and IMG Boulevard. The park has the capacity to welcome more than 20,000 guests a day.

“I am extremely proud and honoured to lead the team at IMG Worlds of Adventure,” said Otto. “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.”