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NEWS
'No plans' to open SeaWorld park in China, says operator
POSTED 27 Jul 2018 . BY Tom Anstey
A statement said that SeaWorld has no plans to bring a park to China
SeaWorld has quashed rumours of a planned expansion into China, with the operator saying it has "no plans" to open a SeaWorld park in the country.

There has been talk of SeaWorld moving into the Chinese market for some time, with Chinese investors Zhonghong Zhuoye Group (ZZG) taking up a majority stake in the operator in March last year.

The deal, which was worth CN¥3bn (US$448.5m, €386m, £342m), included an agreement that SeaWorld would exclusively advise Zhonghong Group on the design and development of future themed entertainment destinations, including theme parks, waterparks and FECs, in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau.

Speaking later that year, the now former SeaWorld CEO Joel Manby said that plans were still "moving forward in China", with a three-year study to "figure out what is our priority" in the region.

In February this year, SeaWorld’s interim executive chair, Yoshikazu Maruyama, said that ZZG sees "the huge potential of the opportunity with the SeaWorld brand in China in the future", though a new statement from SeaWorld seems to put a damper on that statement.

Speaking to Attractions Management, a representative for SeaWorld said that the operator was not planning to open a park in China any time in the near future.

"We have no plans to open a SeaWorld park in China and, accordingly, have not made any announcements to that effect," said the statement.

China's government has been trying to rein in risky lending and debt in its property sector, including new regulations for theme parks and a tightening of the reins for property giant Wanda.

Outside of its SeaWorld interest, in April, ZZG disclosed in a regulatory filing that it had defaulted on more than CN¥1.1bn (US$161m, €139m, £123m) in borrowings, adding to overdue debt that totalled CN¥2.27bn (US$333m, €286m, £254m). ZZG is currently trying to reach a deal with the Shenzhen-based Kaisa Group over the CN¥1.4bn (US$205m, €176m, £157m) sale of the shares in its Ruyi Island Project in Hainan, which would offer some relief to its debt burden. As part of increased scrutinies over such deals, Chinese authorities have asked for more information regarding the intended use of proceeds from the equity sale and the development status of the project, which is being built at a cost of CN¥12.9bn (US$1.89bn, €1.62bn, £1.44bn) and is due to open in 2019. ZZG had previously referenced 'SeaWorld Haikou' – an indoor family entertainment centre planned for the island – though with the planned sale and statement from the operator, that project appears to be dead in the water.
RELATED STORIES
  SeaWorld targets British tourists as operator plans to reclaim lost visitors


Following an impressive first quarter, which saw a surge in attendance to its attractions, SeaWorld Entertainment is casting its eyes overseas, particularly to the British market, in an attempt to draw back lost customers.
  Results improving for SeaWorld as operator records strong first quarter


SeaWorld could finally be about to turn a financial corner, after the operator reported a strong start to the year with its first quarter results.
  Sesame Place becomes first theme park to be named certified autism centre


The SeaWorld-owned Sesame Place theme park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has become the first theme park in the world to be designated as a certified autism centre.
  Further senior departures from SeaWorld following Joel Manby's resignation


The floodgates have opened for SeaWorld, following the resignation of two more senior executives after the departure of former president and CEO Joel Manby last week.
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Number of visits to UK attractions are bouncing back says ALVA
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A new family entertainment centre will open in Tampa, Florida, US, this month (March 2023).
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Jobs    News   Products   Magazine
NEWS
'No plans' to open SeaWorld park in China, says operator
POSTED 27 Jul 2018 . BY Tom Anstey
A statement said that SeaWorld has no plans to bring a park to China
SeaWorld has quashed rumours of a planned expansion into China, with the operator saying it has "no plans" to open a SeaWorld park in the country.

There has been talk of SeaWorld moving into the Chinese market for some time, with Chinese investors Zhonghong Zhuoye Group (ZZG) taking up a majority stake in the operator in March last year.

The deal, which was worth CN¥3bn (US$448.5m, €386m, £342m), included an agreement that SeaWorld would exclusively advise Zhonghong Group on the design and development of future themed entertainment destinations, including theme parks, waterparks and FECs, in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau.

Speaking later that year, the now former SeaWorld CEO Joel Manby said that plans were still "moving forward in China", with a three-year study to "figure out what is our priority" in the region.

In February this year, SeaWorld’s interim executive chair, Yoshikazu Maruyama, said that ZZG sees "the huge potential of the opportunity with the SeaWorld brand in China in the future", though a new statement from SeaWorld seems to put a damper on that statement.

Speaking to Attractions Management, a representative for SeaWorld said that the operator was not planning to open a park in China any time in the near future.

"We have no plans to open a SeaWorld park in China and, accordingly, have not made any announcements to that effect," said the statement.

China's government has been trying to rein in risky lending and debt in its property sector, including new regulations for theme parks and a tightening of the reins for property giant Wanda.

Outside of its SeaWorld interest, in April, ZZG disclosed in a regulatory filing that it had defaulted on more than CN¥1.1bn (US$161m, €139m, £123m) in borrowings, adding to overdue debt that totalled CN¥2.27bn (US$333m, €286m, £254m). ZZG is currently trying to reach a deal with the Shenzhen-based Kaisa Group over the CN¥1.4bn (US$205m, €176m, £157m) sale of the shares in its Ruyi Island Project in Hainan, which would offer some relief to its debt burden. As part of increased scrutinies over such deals, Chinese authorities have asked for more information regarding the intended use of proceeds from the equity sale and the development status of the project, which is being built at a cost of CN¥12.9bn (US$1.89bn, €1.62bn, £1.44bn) and is due to open in 2019. ZZG had previously referenced 'SeaWorld Haikou' – an indoor family entertainment centre planned for the island – though with the planned sale and statement from the operator, that project appears to be dead in the water.
RELATED STORIES
SeaWorld targets British tourists as operator plans to reclaim lost visitors


Following an impressive first quarter, which saw a surge in attendance to its attractions, SeaWorld Entertainment is casting its eyes overseas, particularly to the British market, in an attempt to draw back lost customers.
Results improving for SeaWorld as operator records strong first quarter


SeaWorld could finally be about to turn a financial corner, after the operator reported a strong start to the year with its first quarter results.
Sesame Place becomes first theme park to be named certified autism centre


The SeaWorld-owned Sesame Place theme park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has become the first theme park in the world to be designated as a certified autism centre.
Further senior departures from SeaWorld following Joel Manby's resignation


The floodgates have opened for SeaWorld, following the resignation of two more senior executives after the departure of former president and CEO Joel Manby last week.
MORE NEWS
Number of visits to UK attractions are bouncing back says ALVA
Visitor numbers at the UK’s leading attractions have bounced strongly, getting to 78 per cent of pre-pandemic numbers.
World's first Play-Doh attractions to be built in Saudi Arabia by Thinkwell and Seven
Saudi Entertainment Ventures (Seven) has revealed plans to develop and operate the world’s first Play-Doh attractions in Saudi Arabia.
Elev8Fun to expand FEC portfolio - will feature Triotech rides
A new family entertainment centre will open in Tampa, Florida, US, this month (March 2023).
Opening date of US$1bn George Lucas museum set for 2025
A US$1bn museum funded by legendary director, George Lucas, will look to become the world's first to focus exclusively on storytelling through images.
Florida governor strips Disney of special tax district status
The row between Florida's Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, and The Walt Disney Company has escalated, leading to Orlando's Walt Disney World losing its special tax district status.
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COMPANY PROFILES
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

Taylor Made Designs (TMD) has been supplying the Attractions, Holiday Park, Zoos and Theme Park mark [more...]
instantprint

We’re a Yorkshire-based online printer, founded in 2009 by Adam Carnell and James Kinsella. [more...]
TOR Systems Ltd

TOR Systems have been in this business since 1981. [more...]
+ More profiles  
VIDEO GALLERY

Red Raion - Keynote | Moby Dick - Friends to the rescue!
It’s extremely important for us to show you the process behind every content we produce. Each of our titles stems from deep research, focused on giving you the kinds of content that best fit your venues and target audience. Find out more...
More videos:
ProSlide's all-in-one waterplay entertainment center – Proslide Tech Inc
Testimonial Richard Needham - SimEx-Iwerks Entertainment – Red Raion
+ More videos  

CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

10-12 May 2023

Asia Pool & Spa Expo

China Import & Export Fair Complex, China
24-27 Oct 2023

Synergy - The Retreat Show

Palmaïa, The House of Aia, Playacar, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2023

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