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COVID-19 impact on the US attractions industry
A
study released last month by IAAPA has detailed the massive scope of COVID- 19’s impact on the US attractions industry
workforce – with an employment loss five times larger than the average loss across all other industries. The report, compiled by Jim Futrell, IAAPA historian
and market research professional, showcases an industry in “dire need” of support from elected officials and policymakers who play a key role in facilitating the safe reopening of attractions and can spearhead COVID-19 relief legislation. “Just as amusement parks and arcades, historical
sites, zoos and other attractions were ramping up seasonal hiring last year, the economy shut down,” said John Hallenbeck, vice president, North America, IAAPA. “That meant a sudden and immediate drop in employment. It’s imperative to the livelihood of hundreds of thousands of Americans that state and local governments continue to push for the safe reopening of attractions facilities as soon as possible.” With data sourced directly from the U.S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics’ Current Employment Statistics (CES) and Census of Employment and Wages (CEW) programs, key findings from the study included: • Employees from IAAPA’s constituent industries (which include amusement and theme parks, amusement arcades, historical sites, museums, zoos and aquariums, nature parks and other similar institutions) saw their wages fall by nearly $1.1 billion, when comparing the second quarter of 2020 to the same period in 2019.
• Amusement and theme park employees were among the hardest hit, accounting for70% of this drop in wages.
• In July 2020, typically the peak month of employment for the attractions industry, employment fell by 165,000 or 35% compared to July 2019.
• Lost positions in amusement parks and arcades were five times larger than the average loss across other industries.
• Rather than experiencing the usual seasonal In July 2020, IAAPA published “COVID-19 John Hallenbeck Jim Futrell
employment increase, U.S. amusement parks and arcades, historical sites, zoos and similar attractions saw a combined drop of more than 125,000 employees between March and May 2020, with some sectors seeing employment levels not seen since 1990.
“The economic impact of the pandemic on the
attractions industry has been devastating,” said IAAPA in a press statement. “Some attractions closed and were not allowed to reopen. Some closed for several months in 2020, while others remained open, but at limited capacities. Many of these businesses will never reopen.” Response by elected officials and policymakers is
said to have had a measurable effect on how regional attractions have weathered this challenging time. Futrell noted, however, that several factors have contributed to continued employment impacts even in regions that have reopened. “While IAAPA members that have reopened have proven they can do so safely, these businesses continue to struggle due to consumer reluctance and guest capacity limitations, severely affecting revenue and the ability to bring back and rehire staff to previous levels.”
Waterpark Planned for OWA
The Park at OWA, Foley, Alabama, plans an $84 million expansion that will include an Indoor waterpark, outside wave pool with flow rider, and a luxury RV Park. They are looking at a Spring 2022 opening for all of those amenities. OpenAire is the supplier of the indoor waterpark structure with retractable roof. Pro Slide is the provider of the slides package. More details will be announced soon.
6 WINTER PART 2 2021
Reopening Guidance: Considerations for the Global Attractions Industry,” a detailed document developed to support attractions facilities as they sought to reopen with new operating protocols and procedures in place. Developed and continually updated in partnership with attractions industry leaders from around the world and in consultation with medical professionals and health- related guidance from governmental agencies, the Guidance has continued to serve as a valuable resource and is available in English and Spanish. The Guidance has also been shared with state and local governments to help tell the complete story of the attractions industry’s commitment and ability to safely reopen. The guidelines have also been referenced globally by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation in their Global Guidelines to Restart Tourism, and the World Tourism and Travel Council in their Attractions: Global Protocols for the New Normal resource. “IAAPA estimates the effects of the pandemic will
have cost $23 billion in economic losses in 2020 alone,” added Hallenbeck. “On behalf of our industry and the thousands of people who rely upon it, I strongly urge Congress to pass additional relief legislation that includes attractions industry-specific support. This should include additional PPP funding, extension of the employee retention tax credit through 2021, and financial aid to state and local governments to allow for the creation of grant and loan programs specific to our industry and liability protection for businesses that can safely reopen. And I encourage elected officials to continue to work on reopening businesses in their states. Safety has always been the attractions industry’s number-one priority. That will never change. Parks and attractions are ready to reopen responsibly and can do so with guidance and regional support.”
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