Information

My Account

Theme Park Supplier's News of the Week #12 Bolliger Mabillard, MAURER Rides, ETF Ride Systems, Lo-...

World Waterpark Association Success for WWA's 33th Symposium and Trade Show

Hong Kong Disneyland to introdoce Iron Man Experience First major Marvel attraction planned in 2016

Theme Park Supplier's News of the Week #11 Zamperla, Simworx, Electrosonic, Vortex

Theme Park Industry News Roundup #6 Liseber, Universal Parks and Resorts, IAAPA, Herschend ...

Premier Rides wins €8 million contract with Plopsa Gr... New launch coaster to open at Holiday Park in 2014

Theme Park Industry News Roundup #5 Tokyo Disney Resort, Merlin, European Star Awards

Record anniversary edition for Euro Attractions Show More than 8,500 attendees on a record exhibit floor

Top Stories
Supplier's News
WWA
Hong Kong Disneyland
Supplier's News
Industry News
Premier Rides
Industry News
Euro Attractions Show

Latest Industry News

CORPORATEPublished on January 28, 2014 NewsParcs to take an extended break

EVENTPublished on November 10, 2013 IAAPA Attractions Expo 2013 debuts next week in Orlando

CORPORATEPublished on November 10, 2013 Difficult season for Compagnie des Alpes' amusement parks

NEWPublished on October 21, 2013 Theme Park Supplier's News of the Week #12

EVENTPublished on October 21, 2013 Success for the 33th symposium and trade show of the World Waterpark...

NEWPublished on October 13, 2013 Disney to introduce first major Marvel attraction at Hong Kong...

NEWPublished on October 13, 2013 Theme Park Supplier's News of the Week #11

NEWPublished on October 13, 2013 Theme Park Industry News Roundup – Issue #6

NEWPublished on October 6, 2013 Premier Rides wins €8 million contract to build a launch coaster...

581 articles published » See all articles

Welcome!

NewsParcs is an online trade publication dedicated to theme park industry professionals worldwide.

Since 1998, we work in direct contact with manufacturers, suppliers, consultants, owners and operators to publish only reliable and relevant information.

NewsParcs, connecting the theme park industry!

Supplier's News

NewsParcs will do a full coverage of the IAAPA Attractions Expo 2013 in Orlando to have a look at the latest trends and developments of the global theme park industry.

Follow us on Twitter (@NewsParcs) from November 19 to 22 with the hashtag #IAAPA

Merlin Entertainments continues its European

expansion in Czech Republic

Update : 16/12/12 - 19h59 Published by François Mayné the 14 December 2012, Corporate.

The British group Merlin Entertainments, the second largest attractions operator in the world with over 46 million visitors in 2011*, announced as part of its expansion plan in Europe the arrival of a Madame Tussauds wax museum in Prague, Czech Republic for late 2013 or Spring 2014.

Merlin Entertainments continues its European expansion in Czech Republic

"Madame Tussauds is a very unique and special experience which we have proven is very popular in major cities with a high tourist population,” said Chris Scurrah, Merlin Entertainments Business Development Director for Europe. “Prague is an exciting, vibrant place, full of history and with a dynamic international visitor profile – and we believe it is a natural fit for the Madame Tussauds experience.”

This project is directly competing with French operator Compagnie des Alpes which announced earlier this year that it was preparing to open its own wax museum concept, Musee Grevin, in the heart of the Czech capital. Expected by 2014 for an investment of €10 million, an agreement in principle was signed a few months ago about the future location but no more details have been disclosed to date. Merlin Entertainments will thus be probably the first to implement its wax museum concept in the country.

With brands such as the LEGOLAND theme parks, the LEGO Discovery Centre family entertainment centers, the SEA LIFE aquariums, the Dungeons haunted attractions and the Madame Tussauds wax museums, Merlin Entertainments has set a strategic goal to open each year between 6 and 7 new attractions all over the world. Already the leader in the European market, the group also plans to open in 2013 several attractions in Germany including a Dungeons in Berlin and a LEGO Discovery Center in Oberhausen.

A proven success

The dynamic growth and success of Merlin Entertainments come to be hailed by the Management Today magazine, which has published its annual ranking of "Most Admired Companies in the UK". Based on the opinion of senior executives and sector analysts, the group enters for the first time in 64th position (out of 254 company) and is in third position of the companies active in the tourism industry, behind Intercontinental Hotels and Virgin Atlantic.

Of the 9 criteria of judgment, Merlin has been noticed for its capacity to innovate (best score in the sector), the quality of its goods (reflecting its investments and customer service), the quality of its management (CEO Nick Varney and most of his senior management team have been with the company since the start in 1999) and the use of corporate assets (stable financial situation and continuous investments).

The group also owns several theme parks in Europe including Alton Towers (UK) and Gardaland (Italy)

“We are delighted to be recognised and admired by our peers – probably the toughest audience of all,” commented Nick Varney. “The fact too that our scores reflect the most important elements of the Merlin culture is very encouraging and a great testament to every one of our employees who demonstrate the ‘Merlin Way’ every day across the business through their enthusiasm; innovation and customer care.”

Merlin Entertainments operates a total of 94 attractions, 7 hotels and two holiday villages in 21 countries, from the United States to Japan, from Australia to The Netherlands. The group employs more than 20,000 people and achieved in 2011 a turnover of £945.7 million (about €1.13 billion), an increase of over 18% compared to 2010.

*: According to the Global Attractions Attendance Report Theme Index 2011 co-published by AECOM and the Themed Entertainment Association.

Madame Tussauds - - -

Written by François Mayné

François Mayné Publishing Director » Contact Us
» all articles

nWave Pictures
(6 articles found)

Theme Park Supplier's News of the Week #10 read more

NewsParcs' Theme Park Supplier's News of the Week is a review of the latest information and news of companies supplying the theme park industry worldwide. This weekly report covers topics such as corporate announcements, ...

NEW | nWave Pictures - Published on October 6, 2013

Euro Attractions Show 2013 Wrap-Up: Exhibitor's Quotes and Impressions read more

The Euro Attractions Show 2013 ended on a very positive note last week after three intensive days of business meetings and networking events...

FEATURE | nWave Pictures - Published on September 29, 2013

What's new at EAS 2013? Special Theme Park Supplier's News of the Week read more

As the Euro Attractions Show 2013 is about to start at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles exhibition center in France, NewsParcs publishes today...

NEW | nWave Pictures - Published on September 15, 2013

Simworx completes 4D effects theatre installation at RAF Museum Cosford, UK read more

Simworx, the UK based 4D effects theatre specialist, has completed the installation of a new, purpose-built theatre at the RAF Museum Cosford...

NEW | nWave Pictures - Published on October 31, 2012

MediaMation installs a turnkey 4D motion effects theater at Ripley's Believe It or Not! in Baltimore read more

MediaMation, a leading provider of 4D/5D motion EFX theaters, has installed a turnkey 4D theater using their X4D® Motion EFX seating in the ...

NEW | nWave Pictures - Published on July 18, 2012

Almost €15 million investment and 3 new rides for Liseberg in 2012 read more

The Swedish amusement park Liseberg, located in the heart of the city of Gothenburg in the southwest of the country, has invested this season...

NEW | nWave Pictures - Published on May 15, 2012

previous
Page 1/1
next

Select Articles

more search options less search options

Magazine

Hydro (Oakwood Theme Park) Gyrotour (Futuroscope) Blue Fire (Europa-Park) Sledge Hammer (Bobbejaanland) Stunt Fall (Parque Warner Madrid) Toy Story Mission Parachute (Walt Disney Studios) Troy (Toverland) Star Flyers (Plopsaland) Uppswinget (Liseberg) Lynet (Farup Sommerland) Grande Roue (Walibi Belgium) Cobra (Paultons Family Theme Park) G-force (Walibi Holland) Stealth (Thorpe Park) El Volador (Bellewaerde Park) Katun (Mirabilandia) Hurakan Condor (Port Aventura)