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NEWS
Trump election victory could increase investment in US attractions, says GCI president
POSTED 22 Nov 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
While many are predicting a 'Trump Downturn', the US attractions sector could benefit from the President-elect's win thanks to increased investment in the domestic market Credit: Press Association
Donald Trump's US presidential election victory could be beneficial for the US theme park industry, according to the president of Great Coasters International (GCI).

Talking to Attractions Management, Clair Hain said it was likely that the Republican Party would spend more money on developing the sector than the Democrats had Hillary Clinton won the race for the White House.

President-elect Trump represents the Republican Party, which has been out of office for eight years after two consecutive terms for Democrat President Obama.

Hain said that while there had been investment during final year of the Democrat term – with purchases of four rides from the company – the years previous had been quieter by comparison.

“I think the election results are going to change a lot of things that happen in the States this year,” said Hain. “Looking at previous trends it seems like the Republicans want to spend a lot more money because they save a lot more in taxes and everything else.”

He added: “Only time will tell when it comes to the markets, but I’m very confident going forward.”

Pennsylvania-based GCI is currently manufacturing four major new rides – two in the US and two in China. During last week’s IAAPA conference it unveiled the ride cars for InvadR – Busch Gardens Willamsburg’s first wooden ever rollercoaster.

GCI’s other US coaster under development is for the Cedar Fair-owned Kings Island – a wooden rollercoaster called Mystic Timbers – while its Chinese developments are for two OCT parks in Chengdu and Chongqing.

“Right now we’re not seeing any problems in China, they’re spending heavily there,” said Hain. “In the US and Europe they’re watching every penny they can get.

“Everybody is always out there to get the biggest, the baddest, the fastest – the whole nine yards. But ultimately it comes down to the mighty dollar.”
RELATED STORIES
  Global travel market bracing itself for 'Trump Downturn'


Analysts have predicted that a Donald Trump win in today’s US Presidential election would have a similar effect to the UK’s Brexit vote, with the potential result sending shockwaves worldwide thanks to a weakened dollar.
MORE NEWS
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
Efteling expands family offer with new Hooghmoed drop tower
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
+ More news   

COMPANY PROFILES
IDEATTACK

IDEATTACK is a full-service planning and design company with headquarters in Los Angeles. [more...]
IAAPA EMEA

IAAPA Expo Europe was established in 2006 and has grown to the largest international conference and [more...]
Holovis

Holovis is a privately owned company established in 2004 by CEO Stuart Hetherington. [more...]
Polin Waterparks

Polin was founded in Istanbul in 1976. Polin has since grown into a leading company in the waterpa [more...]
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FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
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NEWS
Trump election victory could increase investment in US attractions, says GCI president
POSTED 22 Nov 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
While many are predicting a 'Trump Downturn', the US attractions sector could benefit from the President-elect's win thanks to increased investment in the domestic market Credit: Press Association
Donald Trump's US presidential election victory could be beneficial for the US theme park industry, according to the president of Great Coasters International (GCI).

Talking to Attractions Management, Clair Hain said it was likely that the Republican Party would spend more money on developing the sector than the Democrats had Hillary Clinton won the race for the White House.

President-elect Trump represents the Republican Party, which has been out of office for eight years after two consecutive terms for Democrat President Obama.

Hain said that while there had been investment during final year of the Democrat term – with purchases of four rides from the company – the years previous had been quieter by comparison.

“I think the election results are going to change a lot of things that happen in the States this year,” said Hain. “Looking at previous trends it seems like the Republicans want to spend a lot more money because they save a lot more in taxes and everything else.”

He added: “Only time will tell when it comes to the markets, but I’m very confident going forward.”

Pennsylvania-based GCI is currently manufacturing four major new rides – two in the US and two in China. During last week’s IAAPA conference it unveiled the ride cars for InvadR – Busch Gardens Willamsburg’s first wooden ever rollercoaster.

GCI’s other US coaster under development is for the Cedar Fair-owned Kings Island – a wooden rollercoaster called Mystic Timbers – while its Chinese developments are for two OCT parks in Chengdu and Chongqing.

“Right now we’re not seeing any problems in China, they’re spending heavily there,” said Hain. “In the US and Europe they’re watching every penny they can get.

“Everybody is always out there to get the biggest, the baddest, the fastest – the whole nine yards. But ultimately it comes down to the mighty dollar.”
RELATED STORIES
Global travel market bracing itself for 'Trump Downturn'


Analysts have predicted that a Donald Trump win in today’s US Presidential election would have a similar effect to the UK’s Brexit vote, with the potential result sending shockwaves worldwide thanks to a weakened dollar.
MORE NEWS
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
Efteling expands family offer with new Hooghmoed drop tower
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford– Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism inv
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx- Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
IDEATTACK

IDEATTACK is a full-service planning and design company with headquarters in Los Angeles. [more...]
IAAPA EMEA

IAAPA Expo Europe was established in 2006 and has grown to the largest international conference and [more...]
Holovis

Holovis is a privately owned company established in 2004 by CEO Stuart Hetherington. [more...]
Polin Waterparks

Polin was founded in Istanbul in 1976. Polin has since grown into a leading company in the waterpa [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
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