INTERVIEW TheSKY’S the


the importance of the following day – 12th May – which is the offi cial launch date of the park’s new rollercoaster Shambhala. It’s set to be a fl agship ride and a record- breaker – the tallest and fastest in Europe – which will cement PortAventura’s position as one of the continent’s premier parks. “We want to become the leading park within Europe, in terms of both innovation


I


nside his cool, air-conditioned offi ce, Sergio Feder, the CEO of PortAventura theme park, talks in a calm but excited manner. He outlines


LIMIT


Shambhala, Europe’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster, opened in May at PortAventura. CEO Sergio Feder explains why the ride’s so important to the park


TOM WALKER •NEWS EDITOR • ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT


and breaking records,” Feder says. “It’s imperative to do this so we can attract more visitors, not only from Spain, but from all over Europe, especially from markets such as the UK, France, Russia, Germany and the Benelux countries.” Make no mistake – when it comes to competing for foreign visitors to theme parks, Feder is turning up the heat on his European rivals. Located in Salou, on Catalonia’s Costa


Dorada, PortAventura fi rst opened to the public in 1995. It was established initially (and somewhat unusually) as a


THE PARK’S HISTORY It’s hoped that the new ride will increase visitor numbers to four million a year


1995 Park opens


1997 Universal acquires majority share. Park renamed Universal’s PortAventura


34


2002 PortAventura develops into a tourist destination, thanks to the launch of two hotels and an aquatic park


Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital


2003 The Caribe Resort hotel opens its doors for the fi rst time


2005 The arrival of the signature free fall tower, Hurakan Condor


AM 3 2012 ©cybertrek 2012


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