UK-based HIT Entertainment is the latest company to join the rush to lend its IP to a theme park based in the oil-rich kingdom of Dubai.

HIT has inked a deal with Dubailand to develop family entertainment projects in Global Village at Dubailand, an enormous tourism, leisure and entertainment destination.

The deal will create the world’s first HIT Entertainment ‘Little Big Club’, and the 25,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor project represents a multi-million dollar investment within the permanent Global Village, hich is set to open its doors in the last quarter of this year.

Barney, Pingu, Bob the Builder and Thomas & Friends will all be on-hand to create fully immersive family entertainment and attractions. UK firm RMA is heading up the design of the park’s layout and rides and will project-manage all architectural, scenic and technical aspects of the club.

RMA has extensive experience in production, design and construction of themed attractions with a portfolio that includes the new Thomas Land in the UK, set to open at Drayton Manor Park next month.

Dubailand is a three-billion-square-foot development that will house several other projects already underway, including Dubai Sports City, Motor City, Falcon City, Dubai Heritage Vision, and Al Barari. The Polo and Equestrian Club and City of Arabia are currently in the initial stages of infrastructure work.

Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network announced their own partnerships for Dubai-based theme parks in 2007.