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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
Butterfly sanctuary to host hot yoga during retreat at Jersey Zoo for Hotel de France
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
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.
+ More news   

COMPANY PROFILES
Alterface

Alterface’s Creative Division team is seasoned in concept and ride development, as well as storyte [more...]
Taylor Made Designs

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

iPlayCo was established in 1999. [more...]
Vekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V.

Vekoma Rides has a large variety of coasters and attractions. [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...]
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Jobs    News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
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
Butterfly sanctuary to host hot yoga during retreat at Jersey Zoo for Hotel de France
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
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. 
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
Alterface

Alterface’s Creative Division team is seasoned in concept and ride development, as well as storyte [more...]
Taylor Made Designs

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

iPlayCo was established in 1999. [more...]
Vekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V.

Vekoma Rides has a large variety of coasters and attractions. [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