Market Report
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an instant return to 2019 numbers: those represented an economic peak, the best in five decades. A more realistic expectation would be to achieve a level comparable to an average of several years pre- COVID. Following the steep drop of 2020, we can expect that 2021 will manifest as a bounce-back year and that 2022 will usher in real recovery. In 2023, guest expectations will rise, and operators should plan and budget for reinvestment accordingly.”
Chuck Fawcett
THE AMERICAS - THEME PARKS AND WATER PARKS In the US, most theme parks and water parks were open Jan 1, 2020, but shut down mid-March. The top 20 North American theme parks saw a total drop in attendance of -72%. Closures and reopenings were state-regulated.
Florida parks began re-opening in early to mid- summer 2020, with capacity limits. In California, most parks remained shut throughout 2020. Marina Hoffman, Senior Analyst / Hospitality
John Robinett
Consultant, Economics, AECOM said, “The pain rippled through the industry as well as the fan base. But as soon as parks could reopen, guests returned in large numbers, and operators adapted. Though economically disrupted by the pandemic and now facing staffing and operations challenges, the industry looks ahead. Major theme park operators and big chains - including Disney, Universal, Six Flags, Cedar Fair and Herschend - have continued with construction projects, new attraction openings and plans for the future. Even in the hard-hit water parks sector there is encouraging new development.” Attraktion’s goals for 2022 and beyond are,
says Markus simply, to “grow steadily by delivering successful products for our clients, without the pressure to do projects which we don’t like to do.” Watch this space!
Marina Hoffman
ASIA-PACIFIC - THEME PARKS AND WATER PARKS In the Asia-Pacific region, the top 20 theme parks saw attendance numbers drop a total of -58% in 2020. Looking only at China, the numbers tended to be more favorable. Being hit very early in the pandemic, China was the first to implement restrictions and closures in 2020. Nonetheless, China added some 20 parks during the pandemic. Recent openings include Universal Beijing Resort, a new water park at Ocean Park Hong Kong, new parks in the OCT and Fantawild chains and an expansion of Chimelong Paradise. Chris Yoshii, Vice President - Economics, Asia-
Pacific, AECOM said, “China continues to move toward a leading global position in the theme parks and attractions industry. The establishment
Chris Yoshii 60 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021
of Universal Beijing Resort and continuing success of Shanghai Disney Resort represent an upward trajectory and reinforces the notion of quality for parks in China and Asia - raising the bar in the use of technology and media and spurring others to follow suit.” Beth Chang, Executive Director - Economics, Asia-
Pacific, AECOM said, “China’s theme parks and water parks have had access to a much smaller pool of tourists than previously, but have the country’s sizeable, local population to draw upon. Those parks already oriented to local markets were able to sustain higher attendance numbers.”
EMEA - THEME PARKS AND WATER PARKS In the EMEA region total attendance decline in 2020 was -66% for the top 20 theme parks and -61% for the top 10 water parks. Parks catering mostly to regional markets saw lesser attendance drops than those relying more on tourism. Overall, the sector did relatively well in pandemic-hit 2020 and is poised to recover more quickly than some other markets, simply because European parks skew regional. Jodie Lock, Associate - Economics, Asia-Pacific
and EMEA, AECOM said, “European theme park operators are moving ahead with expansion and improvement, locally and internationally. These include Futuroscope’s extensive Vision 2025 plan, the opening of Puy du Fou España, Merlin Entertainments expanding the global network of LEGOLAND parks and a multi-year expansion at Disneyland Paris. Meanwhile in the Middle East, Dubai is set to welcome the world for a six-month world’s fair beginning this October. Water parks in EMEA performed marginally better in 2020 than theme parks, with the top-attended parks in Northern Europe and the UAE. The more regional their visitor base, the better they performed.”
MUSEUMS Attendance at the world’s top 20 museums in 2020 showed a total decrease of -78%, across all regions from the prior year. Museums were one of the visitor attraction categories most negatively affected by COVID-19. They were liable to be closed for long periods, subject to rigorous capacity limits and control measures due to being primarily indoor facilities. Those with attendance models heavily reliant on international tourism suffered most. Blockbuster touring exhibits, new museums,
expansions and exhibitions were delayed, but began to resurge in 2021. The pandemic prompted museums to regroup and deliver content online, to enthusiastic reception by communities and educators. Linda Cheu, Vice President - Economics, Americas, AECOM said, “Our museum community deserves a
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