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NEWS
SeaWorld cutting 320 jobs as part of company-wide restructuring
POSTED 09 Dec 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
The cuts will be spread across the company’s 12 theme parks, including its SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio Credit: Shutterstock.com
SeaWorld Entertainment has announced a company restructuring which will see 320 jobs cut after a sharp dip in attendance.

The cuts will be spread across the company’s 12 theme parks, including its SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio, in addition to its Sesame Place attraction in Pennsylvania and Busch Gardens in Florida and Virginia. The company’s headquarters in Orlando will also be affected.

SeaWorld submitted a Securities and Exchange (SEC) filing in line with the restructuring, stating that the move is part of previously-announced plans to cut costs by around US$65m (€61.2m, £51.6m) by the end of 2018. According to the filing, the jobs will have been eliminated by the end of this month.

“Overall, we are seeing indications of stabilisation, and we believe our results by the end of 2017 and beyond will materially benefit from our focus on significant cost reductions, our brand repositioning, our strategic marketing and pricing initiatives and our continued commitment to consistent and disciplined capital investments,” said SeaWorld CEO Joel Manby, speaking in November.

September’s Hurricane Hermine and other adverse weather hit attendance at SeaWorld’s northeastern locations, alongside a decline of around 93,000 Latin American visitors compared to Q3 2015.

This is the second time in recent years that SeaWorld has had a round of mass cuts. The company released more than 300 employees in 2014 after its reputation took a hit in the wake of Blackfish – a documentary highlighting the dangers of cetaceans in captivity. Severance and job placement packages are reportedly being offered.
RELATED STORIES
  'Fun and meaningful' at the forefront as SeaWorld details upcoming attractions for 2017


SeaWorld Entertainment continues on its mission to deliver experiences that matter, unveiling a number of new rides and experiences at its parks across North America.
  SeaWorld reports fall in Q3 income, embarks on US$40m cost-cutting drive


SeaWorld Entertainment reported a 2 per cent decrease in revenue for the quarter year on year, with attendance at some parks affected by weather conditions and falling inward tourism from Latin America.
  SeaWorld forms in-house creative team to drive innovation and experience


As it continues to rebuild its identity from the ground up, SeaWorld has announced the formation of Deep Blue Creative – a new team within the company tasked with bringing to life innovative new experiences under its fun and meaningful philosophy.
  SeaWorld shares rally after activist investor group takes significant stake


SeaWorld has enjoyed a 5 per cent increase in its share value after activist investor group Ivory Cove disclosed a notable stake in the company.
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NEWS
SeaWorld cutting 320 jobs as part of company-wide restructuring
POSTED 09 Dec 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
The cuts will be spread across the company’s 12 theme parks, including its SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio Credit: Shutterstock.com
SeaWorld Entertainment has announced a company restructuring which will see 320 jobs cut after a sharp dip in attendance.

The cuts will be spread across the company’s 12 theme parks, including its SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio, in addition to its Sesame Place attraction in Pennsylvania and Busch Gardens in Florida and Virginia. The company’s headquarters in Orlando will also be affected.

SeaWorld submitted a Securities and Exchange (SEC) filing in line with the restructuring, stating that the move is part of previously-announced plans to cut costs by around US$65m (€61.2m, £51.6m) by the end of 2018. According to the filing, the jobs will have been eliminated by the end of this month.

“Overall, we are seeing indications of stabilisation, and we believe our results by the end of 2017 and beyond will materially benefit from our focus on significant cost reductions, our brand repositioning, our strategic marketing and pricing initiatives and our continued commitment to consistent and disciplined capital investments,” said SeaWorld CEO Joel Manby, speaking in November.

September’s Hurricane Hermine and other adverse weather hit attendance at SeaWorld’s northeastern locations, alongside a decline of around 93,000 Latin American visitors compared to Q3 2015.

This is the second time in recent years that SeaWorld has had a round of mass cuts. The company released more than 300 employees in 2014 after its reputation took a hit in the wake of Blackfish – a documentary highlighting the dangers of cetaceans in captivity. Severance and job placement packages are reportedly being offered.
RELATED STORIES
'Fun and meaningful' at the forefront as SeaWorld details upcoming attractions for 2017


SeaWorld Entertainment continues on its mission to deliver experiences that matter, unveiling a number of new rides and experiences at its parks across North America.
SeaWorld reports fall in Q3 income, embarks on US$40m cost-cutting drive


SeaWorld Entertainment reported a 2 per cent decrease in revenue for the quarter year on year, with attendance at some parks affected by weather conditions and falling inward tourism from Latin America.
SeaWorld forms in-house creative team to drive innovation and experience


As it continues to rebuild its identity from the ground up, SeaWorld has announced the formation of Deep Blue Creative – a new team within the company tasked with bringing to life innovative new experiences under its fun and meaningful philosophy.
SeaWorld shares rally after activist investor group takes significant stake


SeaWorld has enjoyed a 5 per cent increase in its share value after activist investor group Ivory Cove disclosed a notable stake in the company.
MORE NEWS
Warner Bros Discovery collaborates on upcoming Pompeii attraction
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while remaining actively involved with the company.
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. 
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COMPANY PROFILES
DJW

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

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

RMA Ltd is a one-stop global company that can design, build and produce from a greenfield site upw [more...]
Taylor Made Designs

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

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