Blackstone has reached an agreement with Anheuser-Busch InBev to acquire 10 major US attractions - including the SeaWorld and Busch Gardens chains - for US$2.7bn (£1.69bn, 1.83bn euro).

As reported in Leisure Opportunities earlier this week, the deal includes the SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Antonio and San Diego, two Busch Gardens parks in Tampa and Williamsburg and other family attractions in Orlando, Tampa, Williamsburg and Langhorne.

The parks fall under Anheuser-Busch's wholly-owned subsidiary, Busch Entertainment Corporation (BEC), the second largest entertainment park operator in the US with around 25 million annual visitors.

The deal is comprised of a cash payment of US$2.3bn and a right to participate in Blackstone's return on its initial investment, capped at US$400m.

Carlos Brito, chief executive of Anheuser-Busch InBev, said: "BEC is a high performing asset with a world-class management team, but not a core business for Anheuser-Busch InBev. We are pleased to have reached an agreement with a buyer who understands the industry and has a strategic vision for the business."

Jim Atchison, president of BEC, added: "This transaction represents an exciting new chapter for BEC and the thousands of dedicated employees of our team. Blackstone is uniquely experienced to help us take the company to new heights and I look forward to working together to grow this business."

Debt financing in support of the deal will be comprised of senior secured credit facilities - provided by BofA Merrill Lynch, Barclays Capital, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs and Mizuho Corporate Bank - and mezzanine debt , provided by Goldman Sachs and funds managed by GSO Capital Partners.

Blackstone already owns Merlin Entertainments, the second largest visitor attraction operator in the world. According to Blackstone, the Busch portfolio of parks will be operated separately to Merlin and there are currently no plans to merge the operations of the two.