The TEA/AECOM Theme and Museum Index shows healthy trading in all
parts of the attractions industry worldwide, and the global top ten is looking
increasingly like a game of snakes and ladders, as operators’ performances
are impacted by everything from IP launches to currency devaluations
By Liz Terry | Published in Attractions Management 2015 issue 3
There’s a bouncy feel to the latest TEA/AECOM Theme and Museum Index (page 42) which reports healthy growth in attendances across attractions sectors from museums to theme and water parks. AECOM, which did the research, says the top 25 amusement/theme parks grew attendances by 4.1 per cent in 2014, the top 20 waterparks by 2.8 per cent and the top 20 museums by 1.6 per cent. Increases were recorded on all continents.
Hidden within the numbers are factors which will turn the Top Ten Operator tables into a game of Snakes & Ladders over the next few decades. For example – as Universal is demonstrating with its rollout of Harry Potter attractions embracing the right IP can revitalise a mature business.
Universal saw a 10.4 per cent increase in year-on-year attendances as a result of the launch of its first Potter attraction in Orlando. More are following across its global estate, giving an impetus that could eventually see it overtake Merlin to take the number two slot.
On the other side of the equation, Merlin’s accident at its Alton Towers theme park in the UK (page 32), hit attendances and the profitability of the group by £50m (US$77m, €71m).
Although Merlin will be buoyed by trading across its estate and the strength of its Legoland brand, the accident has been a setback and it will be interesting to see the positions of the two businesses when the numbers come in next year.
The growth of Asia – particularly China – is a major factor driving change. In spite of the recent currency devaluation, the scale of development is likely to dwarf what has gone before.
Perhaps even Disney’s seemingly unassailable lead in the market could be challenged over the next few decades.
Speaking at the China International Tourism Investment Conference, Wang Jianlin, chair of Wanda, said the company China’s biggest property developer – is aiming to overtake Disney as the world’s largest tourism-based business by 2020.
This isn’t an unfounded remark – Wanda has deep pockets and has been building a diverse global portfolio for years, with interests in areas from sport and broadcast to theme park development, hospitality, resorts and urban regeneration.
Wang said the company will develop Wanda Cities – vast indoor culture, entertainment and attractions hubs which will trade all year round. Fifteen are planned in China alone, each with projected visitor numbers of between 10 and 30 million a year. A global rollout is likely.
Attractions development requires that investors take a very long-term view and play the demographics and economic cycles tactically. With the market globalising at breakneck speed, the TEA/AECOM top ten table will see big changes over the next few decades as the bigger operators jostle for the top spots. Developments in Asia are being driven by consultants, designers and suppliers from the US and Europe and this will also evolve, as operators like Disney educate local sub contractors.
We expect Chinese companies to develop products and services which are marketable on the world stage, adding another new element of competition within the sector.
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2015 issue 3
Interview: Michiel Buchel
Michiel Buchel is Ecsite’s new president and CEO of the Netherland’s biggest science centre, NEMO. He shares his optimism about the science centre sector and the secrets of NEMO’s success
Attractions: All Work, All Play
KidZania, star of the edutainment world, has opened its newest franchise in London, its 17th location to date. We meet the global top team to find out what makes these small cities a big success
Analysis: Be Our Guest
TEA/AECOM’s 2014 Theme Index shows attendance growth across all regions. AECOM experts analyse the recent trends
The TEA/AECOM Theme and Museum Index shows healthy trading in all
parts of the attractions industry worldwide, and the global top ten is looking
increasingly like a game of snakes and ladders, as operators’ performances
are impacted by everything from IP launches to currency devaluations
By Liz Terry | Published in Attractions Management 2015 issue 3
There’s a bouncy feel to the latest TEA/AECOM Theme and Museum Index (page 42) which reports healthy growth in attendances across attractions sectors from museums to theme and water parks. AECOM, which did the research, says the top 25 amusement/theme parks grew attendances by 4.1 per cent in 2014, the top 20 waterparks by 2.8 per cent and the top 20 museums by 1.6 per cent. Increases were recorded on all continents.
Hidden within the numbers are factors which will turn the Top Ten Operator tables into a game of Snakes & Ladders over the next few decades. For example – as Universal is demonstrating with its rollout of Harry Potter attractions embracing the right IP can revitalise a mature business.
Universal saw a 10.4 per cent increase in year-on-year attendances as a result of the launch of its first Potter attraction in Orlando. More are following across its global estate, giving an impetus that could eventually see it overtake Merlin to take the number two slot.
On the other side of the equation, Merlin’s accident at its Alton Towers theme park in the UK (page 32), hit attendances and the profitability of the group by £50m (US$77m, €71m).
Although Merlin will be buoyed by trading across its estate and the strength of its Legoland brand, the accident has been a setback and it will be interesting to see the positions of the two businesses when the numbers come in next year.
The growth of Asia – particularly China – is a major factor driving change. In spite of the recent currency devaluation, the scale of development is likely to dwarf what has gone before.
Perhaps even Disney’s seemingly unassailable lead in the market could be challenged over the next few decades.
Speaking at the China International Tourism Investment Conference, Wang Jianlin, chair of Wanda, said the company China’s biggest property developer – is aiming to overtake Disney as the world’s largest tourism-based business by 2020.
This isn’t an unfounded remark – Wanda has deep pockets and has been building a diverse global portfolio for years, with interests in areas from sport and broadcast to theme park development, hospitality, resorts and urban regeneration.
Wang said the company will develop Wanda Cities – vast indoor culture, entertainment and attractions hubs which will trade all year round. Fifteen are planned in China alone, each with projected visitor numbers of between 10 and 30 million a year. A global rollout is likely.
Attractions development requires that investors take a very long-term view and play the demographics and economic cycles tactically. With the market globalising at breakneck speed, the TEA/AECOM top ten table will see big changes over the next few decades as the bigger operators jostle for the top spots. Developments in Asia are being driven by consultants, designers and suppliers from the US and Europe and this will also evolve, as operators like Disney educate local sub contractors.
We expect Chinese companies to develop products and services which are marketable on the world stage, adding another new element of competition within the sector.
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2015 issue 3
Interview: Michiel Buchel
Michiel Buchel is Ecsite’s new president and CEO of the Netherland’s biggest science centre, NEMO. He shares his optimism about the science centre sector and the secrets of NEMO’s success
Attractions: All Work, All Play
KidZania, star of the edutainment world, has opened its newest franchise in London, its 17th location to date. We meet the global top team to find out what makes these small cities a big success
Analysis: Be Our Guest
TEA/AECOM’s 2014 Theme Index shows attendance growth across all regions. AECOM experts analyse the recent trends
OMA has completed a major transformation of New York's New Museum, creating a larger
cultural campus that combines expanded exhibition spaces with learning, performance,
hospitality and public programming.
A US$50 million (£44.2 million, €51.2 million) transformation of Chicago's historic McCormick
Mansion has created a new destination that combines live magic, immersive theatre, dining and
private membership under one roof.
The Montana Historical Society has officially celebrated the opening of its new Montana
Heritage
Center, a US$107 million (£79 million, €92 million) destination that combines immersive
storytelling with cutting-edge audiovisual technology to bring the sta
San Antonio Zoo has reported a US$283 million economic impact for 2025, following a decade-
long transformation programme that has seen almost US$200 million invested into the Texas
attraction.
Plans for the AU$180 million redevelopment of Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville, Australia, are
progressing, with the project set to transform the attraction into a global centre for reef
education and conservation.
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Disney has reaffirmed its commitment to investing US$30 billion in its US parks and cruise
business by 2033, using new America250 celebrations to underline the role its attractions play
in supporting jobs, tourism and economic growth.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme
that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
+ More news
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