Legoland operator Merlin Entertainments consolidated its number two position with a 13 per cent increase in visitor volumes in 2011
OPERATING GROUPS GROW Transactions have slowed down over the past few years, but the strength of the theme park operator groups still grows. An increase of almost five per cent in 2011 saw almost 337 million visits made to parks and attractions run by the top 20 operators. Merlin has consolidated its number two position with a 13 per cent increase in visi- tor volumes in 2011. A similar growth rate at Universal parks saw them move into a clear third position. The only change in the order from 2010 was SeaWorld Parks overtaking Cedar Fair to move into sixth place. Merlin is continuing to expand, with
the development of new midway attrac- tions in various locations around the world and OCT is building new parks in China, but most of the other groups are holding steady at the moment. We don’t expect much in the way of transactions until the economy shows signs of picking up and capital becomes more readily available. The challenge facing the market is that the frenzy of activity pre-recession drove prices
AM 3 2012 ©cybertrek 2012
up to higher multiples than are currently considered appropriate, so for deals to start happening again, some form of value correction may be needed.
WHAT’S IN STORE FOR 2012? Well, the five-year-old recession remains with us and shows little sign of ending. Indeed, there are worrying signs from
top ten global groups Rank Group name
1 Walt Disney Attractions 2 3 4 5
Merlin Entertainments Group
Universal Studios Recreation Group Parques Reunidos Six Flags Inc
6 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment 7 8 9
Herschend Entertainment
10 Compagnie des Alpes TOTAL
Source: TEA and AECOM. Read Attractions Management online
attractionsmanagement.com/digital 33
Cedar Fair Entertainment Company OCT Parks China
Europe that may, if the doom-mongers are to be believed, indicate a further five years of hurt there. But, if the past five years are anything
to go by, as long as theme park operators continue with their ongoing investment and strong marketing, they should have less to worry about than businesses in other parts of the economy. l
% Change 2010/2011
0.7%
13.2% 13.7% 1.6% 0.0% 5.4% 2.6%
12.6% -1.0% 2.4% 4.6%
Attendance 2011
121,400,000 46,400,000 30,800,000 26,218,000 24,300,000 23,600,000 23,400,000 21,731,000 9,500,000 9,212,000
336,561,000
Attendance 2010
120,600,000 41,000,000 27,100,000 25,800,000 24,300,000 22,400,000 22,800,000 19,300,000 9,600,000 9,000,000
321,900,000
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