Image courtesy of Intamin/Ride Trade


museums/cultural facilities and resorts, while there is an increased interest and demand for branded entertainment by developers and consumers. There has also been a major increase in discretionary spending.” He notes that the global economic issues have led to


short term reduced economic growth in SE Asia and some markets, leading to a negative impact on attendance/ pricing, but that this is now beginning to improve, and he highlights various countries as being particularly active in leisure and tourism development at the present time, as well as various key projects. “Singapore and Malaysia are being very progressive and


proactive to grow tourism, increase economic growth and their competitiveness in the marketplace,” says Aaen. “Two major, billion dollar integrated resorts (IRs) with casino, hotels, retail/shopping, convention facilities and attractions, recently opened in Singapore – Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) and Marina Bay Sands (MBS). “Universal Studios Singapore is the largest major


theme park to open in the last five years in Asia, with an investment of US$1 billion-plus. LEGOLAND Malaysia family resort is under construction in Southern Malaysia (Iskandar) with an investment of US$250 million and an expected opening in 2012, while Singapore is also adding a new River Safari attraction as a third gate adjacent to the Singapore Zoo and famous Night Safari.” He too notes that China is the most active country in the


region while also highlighting other major projects such as the redevelopment of Ocean Park, the US$465 million expansion of Hong Kong Disneyland and the building of Shanghai Disney. Aaen believes Asia and the Far East represents the future


Image courtesy of Resorts World Sentosa


growth of the industry with the region having the key fundamentals in place for this to happen – population, rising incomes, a growing middle class and a demand for quality entertainment, tourism and leisure and new experiences,


concluding that major new development will increasingly happen in Asia led by China. Peter van Bilsen, senior vice-president marketing and sales, Vekoma Rides, the Netherlands “Asia has been booming during the past five years with many new parks, especially in China, Singapore and Taiwan,” says van Bilsen. “A trend in China is that the new parks that are being developed talk about a chain of parks, like the Happy Valley (OCT) parks. Also, there is the combination of zoos, marine parks and waterparks combined with attractions. While in Europe parks are holding off on adding attractions to zoos it is clear that Asia has a different opinion about this and in Asia it is successful. Also the Asian brands are starting to become important.” With reference to the global economy, van Bilsen notes


an overall delay in projects and new projects that have been postponed because investors expect uncertain times or because financial resources are unavailable. “So far I learned that most parks are doing well and I


think that also in Asia, due to the financial crisis, people have in fact visited more parks and the spending on holidays has been decreased. “Although prospects have improved, 2010 will still be a


demanding year. Many countries were quick in reacting to the crisis and actively implemented measures to mitigate its impact and stimulate recovery. “Although we expect growth to return in 2010, a


premature withdrawal of these stimulus measures and the temptation to impose extra taxes may jeopardise the pace of rebound in tourism. Further the issues in Thailand are not good for the region and we hope that the situation will become more stable soon. “By region, Asia is expected to continue showing the


strongest rebound.” Among the challenges being faced by the industry in


Asia, van Bilsen points to new and larger parks looking for management and operators and maintenance personnel,


22


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60