The World Waterpark Association is often asked by media and others about how the industry is faring in any given year. As you’d expect, the answer varies a bit each year depending on factors that are outside the control of most operators, including weather and economic downturns.
In general, 2017 was considered a tough weather year for large swathes of our global industry, however many signs indicate that 2018 has been considerably better in many regions of the world. While not every park in every region experienced perfect weather every day, the weather was generally more consistent and allowed operators to string more good days together.
Some areas such as European markets are benefitting from an increase in “tourism from within the EU that seems to have returned to affordable European destinations,” according to the 2017 TEA/AECOM Global Attractions Attendance Report.
Another contributing factor to how the industry is doing this year: many operators used the offseason to brainstorm some new, innovative ways to market and promote their attractions. As the proverb says, “necessity is the mother of invention”. The weather challenges of 2017 galvanised many in the water leisure industry to think creatively about how to be more reactive to good and bad weather days.
Whether it was dynamic pricing strategies or launching new in-park promotions and events to boost attendance, waterpark operators have been actively trying new things in 2018 and seeing positive results.
Aleatha Ezra, director of park member development, WWA
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2018 issue 4
Rides: Themed dreams
We take a look at some of the major
openings at visitor attractions worldwide
Theme Parks: Fan power
Jordan Middleton explains how operators
can best work with their audiences
Tourism: The Tourist Trap
What role could attractions play to keep
tourism beneficial for residents and
visitors alike? Kath Hudson reports
Conference: Creativity Cocktail
This year’s SATE conference came to the global epicentre for themed entertainment – Orlando – as the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) searched for the secrets to “The Experience Recipe”.
Promotional feature: Whitewater
WhiteWater is branching out of the waterpark business as it
introduces two new attractions products and its brand new
Vantage guest engagement and management software
Show report: Enabling fun
Tom Anstey was on-hand to see what was
on offer at this year’s Euro Attractions Show
Promotional feature: Simtec - forward thinking
Simtec is a flying theatre and simulator ride supplier
for the attractions industry, as well as a manufacturer
of driving and flight simulation applications
The World Waterpark Association is often asked by media and others about how the industry is faring in any given year. As you’d expect, the answer varies a bit each year depending on factors that are outside the control of most operators, including weather and economic downturns.
In general, 2017 was considered a tough weather year for large swathes of our global industry, however many signs indicate that 2018 has been considerably better in many regions of the world. While not every park in every region experienced perfect weather every day, the weather was generally more consistent and allowed operators to string more good days together.
Some areas such as European markets are benefitting from an increase in “tourism from within the EU that seems to have returned to affordable European destinations,” according to the 2017 TEA/AECOM Global Attractions Attendance Report.
Another contributing factor to how the industry is doing this year: many operators used the offseason to brainstorm some new, innovative ways to market and promote their attractions. As the proverb says, “necessity is the mother of invention”. The weather challenges of 2017 galvanised many in the water leisure industry to think creatively about how to be more reactive to good and bad weather days.
Whether it was dynamic pricing strategies or launching new in-park promotions and events to boost attendance, waterpark operators have been actively trying new things in 2018 and seeing positive results.
Aleatha Ezra, director of park member development, WWA
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2018 issue 4
Rides: Themed dreams
We take a look at some of the major
openings at visitor attractions worldwide
Theme Parks: Fan power
Jordan Middleton explains how operators
can best work with their audiences
Tourism: The Tourist Trap
What role could attractions play to keep
tourism beneficial for residents and
visitors alike? Kath Hudson reports
Conference: Creativity Cocktail
This year’s SATE conference came to the global epicentre for themed entertainment – Orlando – as the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) searched for the secrets to “The Experience Recipe”.
Promotional feature: Whitewater
WhiteWater is branching out of the waterpark business as it
introduces two new attractions products and its brand new
Vantage guest engagement and management software
Show report: Enabling fun
Tom Anstey was on-hand to see what was
on offer at this year’s Euro Attractions Show
Promotional feature: Simtec - forward thinking
Simtec is a flying theatre and simulator ride supplier
for the attractions industry, as well as a manufacturer
of driving and flight simulation applications
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.
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