Park News
www.parkworld-online.com
Theme Index 2011 attendance report released
The eagerly awaited Theme Index attendance report for 2011 has been published by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) and AECOM.
The 2011 figures point to economic recovery and increased globalisation of the theme park and attractions industry. Having for the first time crossed the 100 million mark in attendance, Asia now represents one third of the global visitor attractions market and could in time surpass the United States. The quality of the guest experience at Asian attractions is also rising fast. In North America, Universal Studios Orlando and
SeaWorld San Diego were standouts in attendance growth, and Orlando tourism has rebounded. In Europe, hospitality packages and holiday specials have helped theme parks maintain patronage and profitability. “In the 20 years since TEA was founded, the international attractions industry which it serves has had its ups and downs – but overall it has grown and our members have grown with it," notes TEA president Rick Rothschild. "The landscape is more international; attractions and audiences are more diverse; and a new generation of creative storytellers and technical specialists is emerging alongside the veterans." Key Figures from the Theme Index 2011 include:
•Top 5 theme parks worldwide, ranked by attendance: Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World (Orlando), Disneyland (California), Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo Disney Sea, Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris.
•Top 5 theme/amusement park groups worldwide, ranked by attendance: Walt Disney Attractions, Merlin Entertainments, Universal Studios Recreation Group, Parques Reunidos, Six Flags.
•198.1 million: Total attendance for top 25 worldwide theme/amusement parks, a 4.8% rise from 2010
•127 million: Total visits to top 20 parks in North America, a 2.9 % ride from 2010
•105.1 million: Total visits to the top 20 Asian parks, a 9.4 % rise from 2010
•57.8 million: Attendance for the top 20 European parks, a 2.8% ride from 2010
•13.4 million: Total visits to top 10 Latin American tparks, a 0.7% rise from 2010
•24.4 million: Top 20 worldwide waterparks attendance in 2011, a 9.4% rise from 2010
"The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, with its remarkable (dare I say ‘magical’?) increase of 1.7 million attendees accounted for about half of the total estimated increase in North America,” notes Brian Sands, vice-president of Economics + Planning for AECOM. “For the previous three to four years, the recession has been reasonably good to theme parks round Europe,” adds David Camp, vice-president of Economics + Planning for AECOM in Europe/Africa/Middle East. “People are becoming ever more budget-conscious but are still taking short breaks and days out. The majority of the top 20 parks in Europe have hotel accommodation now." The Theme Index is the definitive study of visitor numbers to major theme parks, amusement parks and waterparks across the world and is widely used by developers, creative professionals, the travel industry, the business community, media and theme park fans. The report is produced by the TEA together with the Economics practice of AECOM, global provider of technical and management support services.
Read the full report online now at
teaonnect.org/pdf/2011report.pdf, at
parkworld-online.com, or by reading the digital version of this magazine.
JUNE 2012
ParkBloggin’ by Dennis Speigel
Why fun is a serious
business As a lifelong active member of the leisure industry, and supplier of services, I often have to wonder why there seems to be a never- ending stream of “slow-pay” clients. Now don’t get me wrong – there are clients who are respectable, accounts-payable good guys who pay on time and in full. I’m referring to those clients who for some reason are entering our industry and have the idea that, because we are a “fun” industr’ (and we are), they do not need to pay on time, or sometimes not at all. Recently, I was speaking with five industry colleagues, representing ride manufacturers, suppliers and a consultant. All of them were owed large sums of money – literally, hundreds of thousands of dollars. These outstanding monies represent ride hardware, software, design services, planning and managerial services. Just as in Las Vegas, if you want in the game, you should pay up on demand. Ours is a business just like any other. Recently, in the Middle East, we have been involved in a project with five of the most respected management and operating companies in the industry under contract, and yet the owners have no idea of what is happening around them. It is sad to see a group go so far off course, particularly when they are being provided professional and experienced advice.
How can all this happen, you ask? A simple answer is that many outsiders are oblivious to this busines sector. Going right back to the early ‘60s, I have seen so many groups make foray into our industry without any knowledge, background or understanding of what it really takes to succeed. I’m talking about projects such as Freedomland, Busch Gardens California, Six Flags Atlantis in Hollywood, Marco Polo at Daytona Beach, Sydney Wonderland in Australia, Shanghai’s American Dream Park, Terra Encantada in Rio de Janeiro and of course Hard Rock Park/Freestyle Music Park in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. There have been more. So often we see what I call the “Walt Complex” with new people entering the industry. They think that because they have bought a ticket to a Disney park, they can be Walt Disney. Well, we all know this is not the case. The industry has evolved and developed based on ideas and contributions from many companies and individuals. The newcomers need to understand the consequences, as well as the rewards, when undertaking the development process. This is actuallty a very sophisticated business. To anyone unfamilair with this industry, I strongly suggest you study it carefully before investing. You should have long-term goals and objectives, and find good consultants with proven track records. Once you have your team, draw on their knowledge, networks and expertise, and plan and execute wisely. And listen to your advisors; it will pay both short and long term dividends, and hopefully ensure success. That is when you can really start having fun.
Dennis Speigel is president of International Theme Park Services (
interthemepark.com), based in Cincinnati, Ohio. ITPS is the industry's leading, independent management/consulting firm, offering services including feasibility analysis, design/masterplanning, pre-opening operational planning, on-site management, sponsorship & marketing, executive search and business audits.
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