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BigQuestion in association with
What do you anticipate being the biggest challenges for the industry this season and beyond
Gerardo Arteaga, Fantasilandia, Chile (immediate past IAAPA chairman): Well, one clear development is the rise in the US dollar against other currencies and how that affects buying power in emerging markets for rides and parts. The global economic slow-down may pose a challenge to some destinations but also strengthen opportunities for attractions that depend on local flow. It will be interesting to see how the developments and changes in China affect the region in terms of our industry as that economy becomes more consumer based and investment, potentially, reduces.
Andreas Andersen, Liseberg, Sweden (IAAPA second vice-chairman): We live in uncertain times. While the general economic outlook in Europe is more positive than in recent years, and the attractions industry continues to perform well, I think we are all concerned about both the political as well as the security framework we all do business in. An EU under pressure, the refugee crisis and the threat of terror is something that has the potential to affect business, both short and long term. I hope it won’t, and I believe in our industry being very resilient. But I am concerned.
Chip Cleary, Fantasy, Fiction & Reality, USA (senior consultant to Europa-Park, Germany, and past-IAAPA president): The easy answer is all the simple responses, rising wages and regulations, terrorism, weather and so forth. But the two issues that keep me awake most at night are the unknown or unexpected in this very unstable world we live in now, and the fast changing world of the internet and streaming services which have consumer behaviour shifting rapidly. Content of any type is available 24 hours a day on demand and on any mobile device. We compete for guests’ time and budget for entertainment; something to think about.
Marshall Hill, Funland Hayling Island, UK (BALPPA chairman): Two things: public confidence and the threat of terrorism. We can’t ignore the threat to this industry. Terrorists can strike anywhere, and even for a smaller park like us, you’ve got to be aware of that “lone wolf.” Fortunately there is definitely more economic confidence in the country. Petrol is cheaper and fuel bills are coming down. We have always been a discretionary purchase; people don’t need to come to a theme park, but if a family’s bills suddenly come down by £50, that means they’ve got £50 to spend at a park, the shops or down the pub. The one thing that will always be our biggest challenge is the weather. There’s not a lot anyone can do about that, although if I see a forecast I don’t like, I simply look at another one!
Figures of Fun
of Fun 65
US dollars (¥7,400) – new price of one-day ticket to either Tokyo Disneyland or Universal Studios Japan
105
US dollars – new price ($113.83 including tax) of a single-day/park ticket at Universal Orlando. A two-park pass, which guests need to enjoy the complete Wizarding World of Harry Potter experience, is now $155 ($165.08 inc. tax)
124
US dollars ($132.06 inc. tax) – new peak day single park ticket price to Disney’s Magic Kingdom in Florida. Other Walt Disney World parks remain slightly cheaper as part of the new value/regular/peak day pricing structure.
79
US dollars ($84.14 inc. tax) – new online price for a day ticket to SeaWorld Orlando
1,800,000
final attendance for 2015 at Futuroscope, France – representing a 200,000 increase over 2014
MARCH 2016
5
24 26 28 50
32 20 38 41
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