Attractions
Malaysia harbours high hopes for eco-island plans
Te Malaysian government is to bet big on the picturesque island of Langkawi, aim- ing to attract RM5bn (US$1.5bn, €1.1bn, £948m) for private sector investments as part of ambitious plans to make it one of the top tourist islands in the world by 2015. The government-owned Langkawi
Development Authority (LADA) is charged with converting the low-key location’s pristine beaches and natural wildlife into a major draw for regional tourism. The main site will be a new US$220m (€160m, £130m) eco-tourism attraction to be designed and developed by Pekan Artisan, which recently worked on the Malaysian live- action historical attraction Melaka Alive! Paradise Island Hotel & Gardens will be spread over 13 hectares (130,000sq m) on the main island and will be a mixed-use develop- ment with five main attractions celebrating local wildlife and culture, plus a 250-bed- room eco-hotel, retail and restaurants. Details:
http://lei.sr?a=s4z9R
Record investment in EU attractions
European attraction parks have made a record investment in new rides and attractions for 2014, according to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). IAAPA said new attractions
worth a combined €500m (US$693m, £412m)in capital expenditure (CAPEX) would open as more than 300 amuse- ment parks in Europe begin their 2014 seasons. Te new attractions include
rides, water parks, entertain- ment and a series of immersive themed environments. “2014 has seen an unprec-
edented investment in innovative new attractions to drive attendance from repeat and new visitors,” said Karen Staley, vice president of IAAPA’s European operations. Te organisation linked the
expenditure to a strong perfor- mance across the continent in summer 2013, both in atten- dance numbers and revenue, while festive openings also grew.
A Ratatouille themed-dark ride and mini-land is set for Disneyland Paris Tree new parks are open-
ing in Europe this year. Sochi Park will be located on the site of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Russia; Le Parc du Petit Prince in Ungersheim, France aims to be the world’s first hot air balloon theme park; and Cinecittà World, in Rome, Italy will be dedicated to international cinema.
Among the new attractions
opening are Angry Birds Land at Torpe Park in the UK; a dark ride and mini-land based on the Pixar film Ratatouille at Disneyland Paris, France; and an indoor attraction at Europa- Park, Germany inspired by the popular movie trilogy Arthur and the Invisibles. Details:
http://lei.sr?a=e2e7x
Te Bristol-based artist caused a stir in his home town
New Bansky artwork made into pop-up attraction
A new graffito by renowned street artist Banksy has been removed within hours of being found and put on paid display by an ailing community centre in Bristol, UK. The artwork, which shows a couple
embracing while checking their mobile phones, was confirmed to be a Banksy aſter the artist posted a photo of it on his website. It was then removed by the nearby Broad
Plain Boys’ Club to be put on display inside the centre with entrants charged a viewing fee. A sign was put up in place of the work stat-
ing: “Te new Banksy piece is being held in our club to prevent any vandalism or dam- age being done. You are free to come and view but a small donation will be asked of you.” Temporary or overnight pop-up attractions
have proved popular recently. One example, also in Bristol, includes a pop-up water slide which was installed for a day on 4 May. Details:
http://lei.sr?a=S4m8D
16 Merlin landlord Leslau eyes
Property investor Nick Leslau – whose company Prestbury Investments owns a large chunk of Merlin Entertainments’ real estate portfolio – will return to the London stock exchange with an IPO likely to be worth £1.5bn (US$2.5bn, €1.8bn), according to press reports. Leslau, whose Merlin
assets include Thorpe Park, Alton Towers and London’s Madame Tussauds, is being backed by veteran entrepre- neur Sir Tom Hunter along with LLoyd’s Bank. He acquired the Merlin
attractions in 2007 through a £622m (US$1.05bn, €756m) sale and lease-back deal. The Merlin portfolio has
increased in value since, notably in November 2013,
Read Attractions Management online
attractionsmanagement.com/digital
Sites like the Leslau-owned Torpe Park have soared in value This uplift is reflected in
when the company floated and was valued at around US$5bn (€3.6bn, £3bn). Since then, over 40 per
cent has been added, taking it currently to approximately US$7bn (€5bn, £4.2bn).
the value of Prestbury assets and the company itself, as the ripples from Merlin’s suc- cesses spread out to benefit its business partners. Details:
http://lei.sr?a=X2w7Y
AM 1 2014 ©Cybertrek 2014
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88