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Since 1998, we work in direct contact with manufacturers, suppliers, consultants, owners and operators to publish only reliable and relevant information.
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Theme Park Industry News Roundup – Issue #5
Update : 09/10/13 - 18h05Published by François Mayné the 6 October 2013, New.
NewsParcs' Theme Park Industry News Roundup is a summary of the latest major news related to the theme park industry worldwide.
This Industry Roundup reports news specifically on operators, owners, trade associations and related organizations revolving around the amusement park industry. It also provides from time to time information on some parks (attendance levels, appointment, etc.) as well as trends and industry's figures. Read our previous issues here.
We take a look today at the European Star Awards 2013 awarded by Kirmes & Park Revue at EAS, at Merlin Entertainments' new aquarium acquisition in Turkey, at Tokyo Disney Resort's half-year record high attendance figures as well as the death of former Six Flags' CEO and IAAPA's Chairman of the Board Gary Story.
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Tokyo Disney Resort
The Oriental Land Company (OLC Group), which owns and operates Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan, reported that the total combined attendance at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea during the first half of this fiscal year (April 1 to September 30, 2013) has amounted to a record high figure of 15,359 million guests, or more precisely an increase of 2,109 million admissions (+15.9%) compared to the same period last year.
OLC said that this spectacular increase in attendance can be explained mostly by the successful programme of the resort's 30th anniversary celebrations 'The Happiness Year' which started on April 15. The special events held at the two theme parks, together with the launch of a new daytime parade 'Happiness is Here' and the opening of 'Star Tours: The Adventures Continue', proved to be highly popular.
Moreover, favorable external factors such as the low number of rainy days, the rise in the number of travelers within Japan, and higher demand for leisure activities resulted in a significant increase in the number of guests visiting the parks from the Tokyo metropolitan area and vicinity, making this fiscal year’s first half attendance the highest ever for the company.
Industry leader Gary Story, former President and CEO of Six Flags Entertainment and Chairman of the Board of IAAPA, passed away on September 21 at the age of 58.
Gary Story began his 40-year career in the theme park industry in 1972 as a seasonal worker at Six Flags Over Mid-America (now known as Six Flags St. Louis). He was, along with his business partner Kieran Burke, behind the development of Premier Parks from one amusement park in Oklahoma City (Frontier City) to the largest regional theme park operator in the world after the acquisition of Six Flags' properties in 1998.
He led the group as President and Chief Executive Officer through 2003 when he decided to resign for health reasons. He did, however, remain active in the industry and with Burke founded an investment group in 2009 to purchase and operate several water parks and resorts. The venture became Premier Attractions Management in 2011 and since then has operated additional parks owned by CNL Lifestyle Properties.
Gary Story was an active volunteer member of IAAPA, including serving on Nominating, Executive/Finance, and Advisory Committees, and on the Board of Directors. He was Chairman of the Board in 2004. "Gary had a boundless passion for the industry and was an avid supporter and contributor to IAAPA throughout his career," commented Will Morey, current IAAPA Chairman of the Board. “Gary contributed a great deal to IAAPA and was an impassioned promoter of our industry,” said IAAPA President and CEO Paul Noland. “We are sorry to hear the news of his passing. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”
The German trade magazine Kirmes & Park Revue organized the second edition of the "European Star Awards" on September 19 at a special ceremony held in Paris during the Euro Attractions Show 2013.
The awards were bestowed through the voting of an independent jury consisting of several experts of the theme park industry in 11 different categories honoring the most remarkable attractions, coasters and parks in Europe. For the first time, a Lifetime Award was given to the German engineer Dr. Werner Stengel, who was involved during the past five decades in the realization of almost 650 coaster projects as well as other attractions around the world.
Here are the 2013 winners of the six main categories:
Europe's Best Theme Park: Europa-Park (Germany)
Europe's Best Family Park: Efteling (The Netherlands)
Europe's Water Park: Siam Park (Spain)
Europe's Best New Ride 2013: Karacho at Erlebnispark Tripsdrill (Germany)
Europe's Best Steel Coaster: Shambhala at PortAventura (Spain)
Europe's Best Wooden Coaster: Balder at Liseberg (Sweden)
Europe's leading visitor attractions operator Merlin Entertainments has reported the acquisition of Turkey's premier aquarium Turkuazoo from Dutch based Global Aquariums. The amount of the transaction was not disclosed.
Turkuazoo Aquarium (opened in 2009) will become part of Merlin’s European Midway Operating Group which is made up of global brands such as SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND Discovery Centres and Dungeons. “The global expansion of Merlin's Midway Attractions is a key element of our growth strategy,” stated the company “We have identified over 100 locations in over 60 cities across the world with the potential to establish new Midway Attractions.”
The deal represents Merlin’s first venture into Istanbul. The company sees the acquisition as the catalyst to potentially develop a ‘cluster’ of its global midway brands in the city, particularly given the aquarium’s very central location in the Istanbul Forum Mall in Bayrampassa. “Turkuazoo Aquarium is a high quality attraction in a great location and with significant potential for additional growth. We plan to invest in upgrading and expanding the business, developing both the displays and the infrastructure to enhance the overall experience for visitors of all ages, and underline its position as a world class aquarium. This also means putting even greater emphasis on the information and ‘fun learning’ elements which are at the heart of Merlin’s global aquarium strategy,” said the company.
Commenting, Glenn Earlam, Managing Director, Merlin Entertainments Midway Attractions, said: “We are delighted to be adding the Turkuazoo Aquarium to our portfolio of marine attractions. Istanbul offers us both a very significant domestic market as well as a fast growing tourist trade, and this is a wonderful site – big enough to be awe inspiring, but also very accessible for visitors. Our objective therefore is to work with the excellent local team to add some additional Merlin “magic” and underline its position as a world class aquarium, and the “must see” attraction for the city.”
Merlin operates the largest aquarium brand in the world – SEA LIFE – welcoming around 14 million visitors a year through its 45 aquaria and Marine Sanctuary attractions. Merlin has a particular focus on marine and animal conservation work, and takes an ethical and responsible approach to all animals in its care.
Companies willing to share their news with NewsParcs are invited to contact our editor François Mayné (contact@newsparcs.com) to submit information and press releases. Please note that our editorial staff will attend the IAAPA Attractions Expo 2013 in Orlando.
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Our Industry Roundup is a summary of the latest major news related to the theme park industry worldwide. We report news specifically on operators, owners, trade associations and related organizations, including trends, attendance...