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sto for Europe Safety, of course, remains, the industry’s number one priority, and it was
noted that industry best practice in Europe exceeds the minimum requirements of the EN13814 standard by a considerable degree. Accessibility should be considered an opportunity for IAAPA’s facility members, not least because approximately 80 million Europeans – 15% of the population – have some form of disability. Sustainability also presents both challenges and opportunities. Many parks, especially, those in Scandinavia, are important community assets, while French attractions like Puy du Fou and Futuroscope are closely linked with the regions in which they reside. IAAPA therefore asks for greater collaboration between local and regional authorities to manage sustainability issues like transport and use of resources more effectively. The association also wants greater support for high-tech engineering, the harmonisation or certification processes and stronger emphasis on intellectual property protection in order to further stimulate Europe’s ride manufacturing industry. “Useful progress has been made in the last five years,” in relation to many of the issues above, concluded Kieran O’Keeffe, “but we must not be complacent.” Currently Europe attracts just 2.5% international visitors, compared to 6.9% in 5.9% in Asia and the US, and 5.4% in Africa, so clearly there is work to do.
IAAPA’s European members can download the manifesto from
iaapa.org/europe
Euro Disney’s ¤1 billion
European industry facts and figures 1.2 10
billion euros – contribution to public finances in terms of VAT, business rates, corporation and employment taxes from European theme and amusement parks
billion euros – direct and indirect economic impact of European parks 53,100
equivalent number of full time staff employed by Europe’s 307 theme and amusement parks
149,500,000 587,000,000
bail-out plan The Walt Disney Company has issued a proposal for a €1 billion ($1.3bn) recapitalisation of Euro Disney SCA, the company that runs the Disneyland Paris resort.
The deal, if approved by shareholders, includes a rights issue and debt restructuring which will inject €420 million in cash into Euro Disney and eliminate €600 million of the debt owed to Walt Disney via an equity swap – ultimately giving it total control of Europe’s biggest tourist attraction. With 40% of the company, Walt Disney is currently Euro Disney’s largest shareholder. Its second largest, Saudi prince AlWaleed bin Talal, who owns a 10% stake, has given his backing to the plans. “This recapitalization plan would improve Euro Disney Group’s financial position and enable it to continue investing in the guest experience,” we are told in an official company statement. “With this effort, we are demonstrating The Walt Disney Company’s continued confidence in Disneyland Paris, which remains the number one tourist destination in Europe.” With over 14 million combined guests, the Disneyland Paris site (including Disneyland Park, Walt Disney Studios Park and seven hotels) trounces all its European competitors in terms of visitors, but remains unprofitable. Euro Disney estimates that revenue for the year ended 30 September fell by up to 3% to 1.27 billion euros while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) dipped to €110- 120 million from 144 million and net losses rose to between €110-120 million euros from 78 million. In July, Walt Disney Studios Park launched a multi-million euro
Ratatouille dark ride. With just two months of operation under its belt, it’s too early to assess if it will be able to reverse the results above, however more big budget attractions are on the way, including a Star Wars attraction for Disneyland Park as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations in 2017.
OCTOBER 2014 Kernels
Bob Iger will continue as the chairman and CEO of the Walt Disney Company through until June 2018 after having his contract extended by two years. “Under his tenure, Disney has reached unprecedented creative and financial heights, driving the stock price to record levels and creating extraordinary value for shareholders," says independent lead director Orin C Smith.
Coca-Cola is the latest blue chip brand to attach its name to Europe's tallest observation wheel. Operator Merlin Entertainments signed a sponsorship deal last month with Coca-Cola Great Britain, which will see the soft drink supplier becoming the London Eye’s new sponsor as from mid-January, when it reopens following its annual two-week maintenance period.
IAAPA’s former executive director for Asia Pacific, Andrew Lee has been hired by Six Flags as its new corporate director for international development, where he is expected to help guide the group’s entry in China. The North American amusement park chain also has plans to open a park in Dubai.
Plans have been approved for a new 150-room Lego-themed hotel at Legoland Deutschland. Scheduled to open in summer 2016, it will follow a similar format to the existing Legoland Hotels in the UK, Malaysia and California. Guests at the German park, in Günzburg, Bavaria, can already stay at the Legoland holiday village, featuring the Ritterburg castle hotel, 72 themed cottages and various camping facilities.
Hello Kitty is coming to Indonesia. The cartoon cat and merchandising wonder will be the star of a new attraction at Ancol park in Jakarta, opening this December.
The French park Puy du Fou, famed for its live entertainment spectaculars, attracted a record 1.9 million guests this past season, and hopes that it could be on course to smash the 2 million barrier in 2015 with the addition of a €23 million investment. The 2014 season finished on September, but four special shows were set to follow this month incorporating luminescent helicopter drones.
7
number of visitors in 2012 to Europe’s 307 parks
euros – annual investment in capital expenditure, €558m of which is spent in the EU
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