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Compagnie de Alpes' leisure park sales continue to
Adverse weather conditions at the beginning of the season and the ever difficult economic conditions in Europe have negatively impacted the activities of the amusement parks of the French operator Compagnie des Alpes (CDA) in the third quarter of its fiscal year 2012/2013*.
Already in decline by 8.1% in the first half, the turnover of the leisure parks activities – which includes Walibi parks, Grévin wax museums, Parc Astérix and Futuroscope among others – now shows a decrease of 6.84% after the first nine months of the fiscal to total €144.2 million (approx $190 million) against €152.6 million the previous year.
And yet the third quarter saw a favorable start during the Spring school holidays with a 10% growth of the activities, supported by an increase in attendance driven by the new guest offering, including the family rollercoaster 'Huracan' at Bellewaerde Park in Belgium (supplied by Zierer) and the new night show 'Lady Ô' at Futuroscope in France. The following season was however quickly weakened by an unusually cold and rainy weather, much worse than in 2012. Sales of the CDA leisure parks is therefore down 5.9% in the third quarter to stand at €82.4 million (approx $108.6 million) against €87.6 million a year earlier.
As a reminder, the first half-year – which represents only 20% of the annual activity of the division – was affected by the combination of both the closing of Dolphinarium in the Netherlands (for refurbishment work) and a number of opening days lower than the previous year due to a calendar effect. The decline in sales was concentrated in the second quarter, the first having been supported by the good performances of Parc Astérix and Walibi Holland during the Halloween seasonal events in 2012.
CDA's parks revenue early in the fourth quarter, a period representing 50% of their annual activity, is steady compared to prior year. On July 22, total revenues since the beginning of the fiscal showed more exactly a decline of 6.6% according to the group that commented that "an analysis of business in the beginning of Q4 reveals that regional parks with an innovative spirit or an offering that sets them apart have demonstrated greater resistance."
In this context, Compagnie des Alpes hopes to remain particularly mobilized. The operator is actively focusing on the quality of its offering, notably through an event-driven programming tailored to each park as well as through new innovative contents – such as in Parc Astérix with the Bolliger & Mabillar inverted coaster 'OzIris' which is ever more popular -, or renewed contents such as 'Pskyé Underground' at Walibi Belgium (full refurbishment of an old coaster), new scenography for the dolphin show at Dolphinarium and 'Walibi Village' at Walibi Holland (revamped lodgings). CDA also explains that its marketing and commercial policy is focusing "on optimized and targeted local action in line with consumer trends, along with large-scale use of digital tools."
Compagnie des Alpes remains cautious on the outlook, noting that it operates in a rapidly changing and increasingly competitive environment with limited visibility. The company says it will pursue its strategy of both revitalizing its traditional businesses and to develop its expertise and its brands abroad with great determination. Concerning the latter point, a third Grévin Museum will open its doors in Prague, Czech Republic in 2014 while two additional projects are under consideration for 2015. Other initiatives to extend their expertise are under discussion in both of the CDA's businesses (the second being ski resorts management) in promising geographical areas.
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