Park News
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CDA takes control at Futuroscope French operator shakes-up park portfolio
The French ski resort and attractions operator Compagnie des Alpes (CDA) is to take a controlling stake in Futuroscope, while disposing of seven smaller amusement parks and attractions. CDA now holds almost 45% of share capital in the new Futuroscope operating company Société du Parc du Futuroscope, as well as a majority of seats on the supervisory board, in turn giving it “the means to exercise the operational and financial control of the company.” Other shareholders of the former state-owned park include Vienne Regional Council and the public-private investor Caisse des Dépôts et consignations. Opened outside the French city of Poitiers in 1987, Futuroscope is a pioneering
science-focused theme park that has enjoyed a colourful history. Since 2003, attendance and revenues has recovered and the park now entertains 1.8 million annual guests, generating record revenues in 2010 of €87 million ($113m). The park’s momentum is also credited as leading to the development of a nearby Center Parcs holiday village.
Discussing the new ownership structure, Vienne Regional Council chairman Claude Bertaud noted, “In this difficult time for the future of local authorities, it is vital to plan ahead so that Futuroscope’s exceptional momentum can continue. A partnership with a private operator seemed the only sensible and efficient solution.”
“I am delighted with the arrival of Futuroscope in our group,” adds CDA chairman and chief executive officer Dominique Marcel. “Its unique positioning, strong brand and footprint on the French market are in line with CDA’s “Great parks, Great brands” development strategy. This not only enriches our company, but also benefits Futuroscope, which will enjoy the advantages of consolidation in a group such as ours. Our objective is clear: to establish, consolidate, and build on the extraordinary recovery of Futuroscope, while retaining its identity and unique positioning.” Separately, CDA has announced plans to sell the French attractions Parc Bagatelle, Saint Malo Aquarium, Mini Chateaux and Val de Loire Aquarium, the Bouveret waterpark in Switzerland, Hellendoorn adventure park in the Netherlands and Pleasurewood Hills in the United Kingdom. The disposal follows in decrease in sales and attendance across its CDA’s leisure park division of 6.1% and 6.3% respectively in the fiscal year to September 2010. Profits feel even sharper.
Between them the attractions earmarked for disposal welcomed over 1.5 million guests in the last fiscal period, generating revenues of €28.3 million, but are, “Not at the core of its strategic and business model,” according to Marcel. Identified as potential purchasers of the properties are HIG Capital France
and Laurent
Bruloy.CDA, meanwhile, will hold on to larger parks including Parc Asterix and the Walibi chain of parks in France and the Benelux. There are also plans to extend the Walibi brand with movies, music, comics and more featuring Walibi the wallaby and three new cartoon characters.
www.compagniedesalpes.com
Abu Dhabi government buys Ferrari World
Aldar Properties has agreed to sell a group of assets, including the Ferrari World theme park, to the Abu Dhabi government. Also included in the AED19.2 billion ($5.2bn/€3.8bn) deal are roads, bridges, homes and land at Yas Island, as well an AED2.8bn convertible bond. Aldar built much of the infrastructure in and around Yas Island, the Abu Dhabi leisure destination that is home to Ferrari World and other proposed attractions including a waterpark, but has been offloading assets to reduce its debt. Last February it sold the flagship Yas Marina Circuit Formula 1 racetrack, also to the government.
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, which opened last November, is the world’s largest indoor theme park. Celebrating the power and passion of Ferrari and motorsport in general, it was designed by Jack Rouse Associates (JRA) and features 20 rides and attractions including the world’s fastest rollercoaster.
www.ferarriworld
abudhabi.com
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Potter tour planned for UK studios The Thinkwell Group is to help Warner Bros create a behind-the-scenes Harry Potter tour at the UK studios used to film the blockbuster movie series. Warner Bros acquired Leavesden Studios (pictured), north of London, this January and plans to make the site as its permanent UK base. It will work with Thinkwell to develop a tour of the sets, costumes, creatures and props from the eight Harry Potter films. Unlike the hit Wizarding World of
Harry Potter at Universal Studios Orlando, visitor numbers will be restricted, with admission by prior- booking only.
New FantaWild parks planned
Hytechnology, the Chinese multimedia attractions specialist, is to open three more FantaWild theme parks in 2011. The parks will be located in the sub provincial cities of Qingdao/Tsingtao (Shadong Province), Zhuzhou (Hunan Province) and Shenyang (Liaoning Province). Each will feature a mix of hi tech and traditional theme park attractions. With the new outlets, Hytechnology will operate a total of seven parks across China, a number it predicts will be sufficient in the country for the time being. A number of foreign ventures are being explored, including an ongoing project in Iran.
FEBRUARY 2011
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