Latest
issue
Get Attractions Management digital magazine FREE
Sign up here ▸
Jobs   News   Features   Products   Company profilesProfiles   Magazine   Handbook   Advertise    Subscribe  
People profile
Thomas Mack

Managing director, Europa-Park


Why did Europa-Park open a health club?
Since the theme park opened in 1975, it has steadily expanded: last year we welcomed 5.6m visitors, making it the second most visited tourist attraction in Germany.

This growth has made it necessary to add accommodation in order for guests to experience everything on offer. The first hotel was built in 1995, followed by four more and we now have capacity of 4,500 beds across the park.

When we built our most recent hotel, the New England-themed Hotel Bell Rock, we had the opportunity to buy a neighbouring health club –the Boston Red Sox Gym. It was ideally positioned so we could make it part of the hotel.

Every element of our offering contributes to the quality of our visitors’ experience and the health club is now as important as any other element. People are getting much more fitness-conscious and like to have access to this type of facility while they’re on holiday.

What facilities does the Boston Red Sox health club offer?
On the ground floor there is a 400sq m gym, with Technogym and Power Plate equipment; a dance studio offering classes including Zumba and yoga; and a spin studio. Personal training and EMS sessions are also on offer.

Because lots of our guests want to chill out after spending all day walking around the theme park, there are ample relaxation facilities, including a wellness area with four saunas and a steamroom, two chill out areas and a rooftop terrace with sun loungers. There are also indoor and outdoor pools.

Who can use it?
Hotel guests from any of the resort’s five hotels can access the facilities and classes as part of their stay. Each four star superior hotel also has its own wellness and spa area with treatments and guests can interchange between them, but the Boston Red Sox gym is the only health club at Europa Park.

Memberships to the health club are also on offer to locals for €50 a month and Europa Park’s 3,800 employees can buy a membership for €25 a month.

What are the challenges of operating within a theme park?
Other than maintaining good staffing levels in the gym – as sometimes people are unfamiliar with the equipment – it’s the same as a regular club. We’re keen to ensure all guests have a high quality experience, so are constantly re-evaluating, investing and listening to customer feedback. This summer, further renovations are taking place, with the addition of new training equipment to keep the facility up to date.

How does the health club complement the overall theme park offering?
It’s part of our drive to give guests more options, increase our service, lengthen their stay and provide a USP. The health club also helps to offset some of the resort’s seasonality, because memberships are sold all year round, and we use the club as part of the hook for our ‘Feel Good’ weeks, which we use to boost trading in the shoulder season.
The health club at Europa-Park features a range of group exercise options
The health club at Europa-Park features a range of group exercise options
Europa-Park welcomed 5.6 million visitors in 2017, making it the second most visited tourist attraction in Germany
Europa-Park welcomed 5.6 million visitors in 2017, making it the second most visited tourist attraction in Germany
Europa-Park welcomed 5.6 million visitors in 2017, making it the second most visited tourist attraction in Germany
Europa-Park welcomed 5.6 million visitors in 2017, making it the second most visited tourist attraction in Germany
Europa-Park welcomed 5.6 million visitors in 2017, making it the second most visited tourist attraction in Germany
Europa-Park welcomed 5.6 million visitors in 2017, making it the second most visited tourist attraction in Germany
COMPANY PROFILES
QubicaAMF UK

QubicaAMF is the largest and most innovative bowling equipment provider with 600 employees worldwi [more...]
Painting With Light

By combining lighting, video, scenic and architectural elements, sound and special effects we tell s [more...]
TechnoAlpin Indoor

TechnoAlpin is the world leader for snowmaking systems. With the Indoor snow division, TechnoAlpin c [more...]
RMA Ltd

RMA Ltd is a one-stop global company that can design, build and produce from a greenfield site upw [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  
LATEST ISSUES
+ View Magazine Archive

Attractions Management

2026 issue 1


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Management

2025 issue 2


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Management

2025 issue 1


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Management

2024 issue 4


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Management News

06 Apr 2020 issue 153


View on turning pages
Download PDF
View archive
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Handbook

2019


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription
 
ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
 
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
ATTRACTIONS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026
Get Attractions Management digital magazine FREE
Sign up here ▸
Jobs    News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
People profile
Thomas Mack

Managing director, Europa-Park


Why did Europa-Park open a health club?
Since the theme park opened in 1975, it has steadily expanded: last year we welcomed 5.6m visitors, making it the second most visited tourist attraction in Germany.

This growth has made it necessary to add accommodation in order for guests to experience everything on offer. The first hotel was built in 1995, followed by four more and we now have capacity of 4,500 beds across the park.

When we built our most recent hotel, the New England-themed Hotel Bell Rock, we had the opportunity to buy a neighbouring health club –the Boston Red Sox Gym. It was ideally positioned so we could make it part of the hotel.

Every element of our offering contributes to the quality of our visitors’ experience and the health club is now as important as any other element. People are getting much more fitness-conscious and like to have access to this type of facility while they’re on holiday.

What facilities does the Boston Red Sox health club offer?
On the ground floor there is a 400sq m gym, with Technogym and Power Plate equipment; a dance studio offering classes including Zumba and yoga; and a spin studio. Personal training and EMS sessions are also on offer.

Because lots of our guests want to chill out after spending all day walking around the theme park, there are ample relaxation facilities, including a wellness area with four saunas and a steamroom, two chill out areas and a rooftop terrace with sun loungers. There are also indoor and outdoor pools.

Who can use it?
Hotel guests from any of the resort’s five hotels can access the facilities and classes as part of their stay. Each four star superior hotel also has its own wellness and spa area with treatments and guests can interchange between them, but the Boston Red Sox gym is the only health club at Europa Park.

Memberships to the health club are also on offer to locals for €50 a month and Europa Park’s 3,800 employees can buy a membership for €25 a month.

What are the challenges of operating within a theme park?
Other than maintaining good staffing levels in the gym – as sometimes people are unfamiliar with the equipment – it’s the same as a regular club. We’re keen to ensure all guests have a high quality experience, so are constantly re-evaluating, investing and listening to customer feedback. This summer, further renovations are taking place, with the addition of new training equipment to keep the facility up to date.

How does the health club complement the overall theme park offering?
It’s part of our drive to give guests more options, increase our service, lengthen their stay and provide a USP. The health club also helps to offset some of the resort’s seasonality, because memberships are sold all year round, and we use the club as part of the hook for our ‘Feel Good’ weeks, which we use to boost trading in the shoulder season.
The health club at Europa-Park features a range of group exercise options
The health club at Europa-Park features a range of group exercise options
Europa-Park welcomed 5.6 million visitors in 2017, making it the second most visited tourist attraction in Germany
Europa-Park welcomed 5.6 million visitors in 2017, making it the second most visited tourist attraction in Germany
Europa-Park welcomed 5.6 million visitors in 2017, making it the second most visited tourist attraction in Germany
Europa-Park welcomed 5.6 million visitors in 2017, making it the second most visited tourist attraction in Germany
Europa-Park welcomed 5.6 million visitors in 2017, making it the second most visited tourist attraction in Germany
Europa-Park welcomed 5.6 million visitors in 2017, making it the second most visited tourist attraction in Germany
LATEST 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.
UK government cuts VAT on attractions to boost summer visitor economy
The UK government has announced a temporary reduction in VAT on visitor attractions and children’s meals as part of a summer cost-of-living support package designed to stimulate the visitor economy and encourage family days out.
Joy as a radical act: Yinka Ilori launches solo exhibition celebrating the rebellious power of spreading happiness
As designer Yinka Ilori prepares for his first solo gallery show in London, he speaks exclusively to CLADmag about his mission to spread joy, the power of play, and his bold approach to using colour (including the colours you won’t see in his work).
Government of Thailand reveals it is courting major theme park operators
The government of Thailand is exploring plans for a THB300bn (£6.3bn, US$8.3bn) entertainment complex in the country’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), with officials proposing a large-scale theme park and sports destination as part of a broader tourism and economic development strategy.
Hainan Science Museum by Ma Yansong, opens in China
A new science museum has opened to the public in Haikou after attracting more than 350,000 visitors during a four-month soft opening period.
Royal Caribbean reveals record-breaking cruise ship
Royal Caribbean has revealed its Hero of the Seas cruise ship, home to the most pools at sea (nine), and a record-breaking 28 dining venues, as well as attractions including a waterpark with two new family raft slides.
David Geffen galleries open at LACMA
The Peter Zumthor-designed David Geffen Galleries have opened at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
QubicaAMF UK

QubicaAMF is the largest and most innovative bowling equipment provider with 600 employees worldwi [more...]
Painting With Light

By combining lighting, video, scenic and architectural elements, sound and special effects we tell s [more...]
TechnoAlpin Indoor

TechnoAlpin is the world leader for snowmaking systems. With the Indoor snow division, TechnoAlpin c [more...]
RMA Ltd

RMA Ltd is a one-stop global company that can design, build and produce from a greenfield site upw [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
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
ATTRACTIONS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS