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NEWS
Tourism shift driving expanded theme park market, says report
POSTED 25 Jan 2017 . BY Tom Anstey
With tourism revenues increasing, governments of many countries are coming to the realisation that theme parks play an important role in attracting tourists
A report looking at the future of the global amusement park market has predicted annual growth of more than 10 per cent through to 2021, driven by a shift in consumer preference from relaxing holidays to adventure sports and tourism.

Covering the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years, the Global Amusement Park Market 2017-2021 report forecast compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.16 per cent during the period 2017-2021.

According to the report by Research and Markets, with tourism revenues increasing, governments of many countries are coming to the realisation that theme parks play an important role in attracting tourists, with Dubai’s theme park boom evidence of this emerging trend.

Additionally, the report states that there is a shift in preference occurring, with individuals wanting relaxing holidays now turning instead to adventure sports and tourism.

“Adventure tourism is gaining high traction in the tourism industry because of the extraordinary experience it offers,” said the report. “However, this type of tourism involves high risks. Therefore, an individual requires sufficient training to participate in adventure sports.”

The report identifies Cedar Fair, Merlin Entertainments, SeaWorld Entertainment, Universal Parks & Resorts, and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts as key players in the global market, with other prominent vendors including Beto Carrero World, Chimelong Paradise, Efteling, Europa Park, Lotte World, Ocean Park, OCT Parks, Parque Mundo Aventura, Experiencias Xcaret Parque, Samsung C&T Resort Group, Six Flags Entertainment, and Tivoli Gardens.

“The target population in the age group of 0-14 is declining,” said an analyst commenting on the report. “Many theme parks are shifting their focus toward audience of other age groups to generate more revenue. Theme parks are creating more attractions and rides to target a larger audience. For instance, children under 15 are not allowed in certain rides in various theme parks.

"Theme parks are attracting adult audience by providing amusement rides such as roller coasters, river rapids rides, and sky coasters. This shift in the target audience will likely support the growth of the market during the forecast period.”

For the full report, click here.
RELATED STORIES
  Dubai's first theme park to undergo AED1.8bn mixed-use redevelopment


Wonderland – Dubai’s first theme park which closed its doors in 2013 – will be resurrected after developers revealed plans for a AED1.8bn (US$490m, €460m, £402m) redevelopment of the abandoned attraction.
  Trinidad set to welcome first theme park with Skallywag Bay


Work is progressing on Trinidad’s first theme park, with Skallywag Bay a landmark project for the island nation.
  Merlin's Dominic Jones joins Thorpe Park as divisional director


Thorpe Park has named Dominic Jones as its new divisional director, with Merlin’s former head of Midway Attractions in Europe now responsible for continuing to develop and grow the popular UK theme park.
  Dubai Parks and Resorts planning fifth theme park


Dubai Parks and Resorts’ three major zones are now open, and the fourth Six Flags- branded park is under construction, but it seems operator DXB Entertainments is not about to rest on its laurels, with plans for a fifth park currently in the works.
MORE NEWS
London Museum makes destination dining part of the attraction
London Museum will open four new food and drink destinations when it launches its new home at Smithfield on 28 November, making hospitality a central part of the visitor experience at one of the capital's biggest cultural openings of the year.
OMA completes New Museum transformation with landmark expansion and Oberon restaurant
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.
David Rockwell creates immersive magic destination, The Hand and The Eye
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.
Montana Heritage Center opens with immersive exhibits and US$107 million investment
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
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NEWS
Tourism shift driving expanded theme park market, says report
POSTED 25 Jan 2017 . BY Tom Anstey
With tourism revenues increasing, governments of many countries are coming to the realisation that theme parks play an important role in attracting tourists
A report looking at the future of the global amusement park market has predicted annual growth of more than 10 per cent through to 2021, driven by a shift in consumer preference from relaxing holidays to adventure sports and tourism.

Covering the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years, the Global Amusement Park Market 2017-2021 report forecast compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.16 per cent during the period 2017-2021.

According to the report by Research and Markets, with tourism revenues increasing, governments of many countries are coming to the realisation that theme parks play an important role in attracting tourists, with Dubai’s theme park boom evidence of this emerging trend.

Additionally, the report states that there is a shift in preference occurring, with individuals wanting relaxing holidays now turning instead to adventure sports and tourism.

“Adventure tourism is gaining high traction in the tourism industry because of the extraordinary experience it offers,” said the report. “However, this type of tourism involves high risks. Therefore, an individual requires sufficient training to participate in adventure sports.”

The report identifies Cedar Fair, Merlin Entertainments, SeaWorld Entertainment, Universal Parks & Resorts, and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts as key players in the global market, with other prominent vendors including Beto Carrero World, Chimelong Paradise, Efteling, Europa Park, Lotte World, Ocean Park, OCT Parks, Parque Mundo Aventura, Experiencias Xcaret Parque, Samsung C&T Resort Group, Six Flags Entertainment, and Tivoli Gardens.

“The target population in the age group of 0-14 is declining,” said an analyst commenting on the report. “Many theme parks are shifting their focus toward audience of other age groups to generate more revenue. Theme parks are creating more attractions and rides to target a larger audience. For instance, children under 15 are not allowed in certain rides in various theme parks.

"Theme parks are attracting adult audience by providing amusement rides such as roller coasters, river rapids rides, and sky coasters. This shift in the target audience will likely support the growth of the market during the forecast period.”

For the full report, click here.
RELATED STORIES
Dubai's first theme park to undergo AED1.8bn mixed-use redevelopment


Wonderland – Dubai’s first theme park which closed its doors in 2013 – will be resurrected after developers revealed plans for a AED1.8bn (US$490m, €460m, £402m) redevelopment of the abandoned attraction.
Trinidad set to welcome first theme park with Skallywag Bay


Work is progressing on Trinidad’s first theme park, with Skallywag Bay a landmark project for the island nation.
Merlin's Dominic Jones joins Thorpe Park as divisional director


Thorpe Park has named Dominic Jones as its new divisional director, with Merlin’s former head of Midway Attractions in Europe now responsible for continuing to develop and grow the popular UK theme park.
Dubai Parks and Resorts planning fifth theme park


Dubai Parks and Resorts’ three major zones are now open, and the fourth Six Flags- branded park is under construction, but it seems operator DXB Entertainments is not about to rest on its laurels, with plans for a fifth park currently in the works.
MORE NEWS
London Museum makes destination dining part of the attraction
London Museum will open four new food and drink destinations when it launches its new home at Smithfield on 28 November, making hospitality a central part of the visitor experience at one of the capital's biggest cultural openings of the year.
OMA completes New Museum transformation with landmark expansion and Oberon restaurant
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.
David Rockwell creates immersive magic destination, The Hand and The Eye
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.
Montana Heritage Center opens with immersive exhibits and US$107 million investment
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
Universal launches new theme park model with Kids Resort
Universal Destinations and Experiences has launched a new regional theme park model with the opening of Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas.
San Antonio Zoo reports $283 million economic impact as expansion plans progress
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.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
Taylor Made Designs

Founded in 1993, Taylor Made Designs supply corporate clothing and brand-enhancing merchandise to [more...]
DJW

David & Lynn Willrich started the Company over thirty years ago, from the Audio Visual Department [more...]
ProSlide Technology, Inc.

A former national ski team racer, ProSlide® CEO Rick Hunter’s goal has been to integrate the smoot [more...]
IAAPA EMEA

IAAPA Expo Europe was established in 2006 and has grown to the largest international conference and [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
28-29 Sep 2026

Wellness Destination AI Tech Summit – Tourism, Hospitality & Real Estate, 28-29 Sept 2026

Grand Ballroom, METT Singapore, Singapore
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

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