Wahl leads the operation of IAAPA’s regional offices, global sales and expos / IAAPA
Jakob Wahl has taken over as executive VP and chief operating officer of global attractions industry body IAAPA.
In the new role, Wahl will oversee the regional operations of the global association.
He reports directly to CEO Hal McEvoy – who has announced he will be retiring on 1 April 2023 – and leads the operation of IAAPA’s regional offices, global sales, three global Expos, and additional member events around the world.
Here Wahl tells Attractions Management about his plans for IAAPA.
What do you see as the biggest challenges facing IAAPA members right now? The global pandemic hit us all very hard – the facilities, the suppliers, IAAPA as an association – and we’re still moving through it. This rollercoaster ride is not over. Despite all the resulting challenges, we’ve still seen the global industry come together and grow in new ways – more than ever before. I think our industry still has a solid foundation and our members have learned a great deal the last 24 months. We truly have a bright future.
What’s the most exciting development you see in the market at the moment and why? The degree of innovation our members have achieved has been astounding. Attractions have pushed for a boost in digitalisation, and I’m amazed by the ongoing trend of social gamification: if you look at the expansion of the Aquaventure Waterpark in Dubai, every attraction has some kind of racing or social component to it. Finally, the staycation effect has led to an increased demand for regional parks.
What new initiatives are you planning? Along with everyone in the industry, we’ve noticed the hurdles of international travel; this is why we try to increase our offer regionally with more gatherings for the local attractions industry. We also further invest into our digital offerings on mobile and web platforms and more digital content available from the Expos.
Do you expect the war in Ukraine to impact the industry? This tragic conflict has been a huge hit for everyone. We’re impressed by many of our members stepping up, helping to support the victims of this horrible conflict. We’ve helped one of our members who still produces in Ukraine to share their message and also helped another member from Ukraine to find a new position in this industry. Indirectly, all of us feel the impact of this war through higher energy prices. For our members that means that operational costs increase, but also for their customers, the cost to travel to an attraction increases and may keep the public closer to home.
How do you balance the needs of all the different kinds of member attractions? I actually think that there isn’t anything to balance as it’s in all our interest to promote the industry and develop all aspects of our business. We have the true pleasure of sitting around a table and having everyone sharing their learnings with each other. Even those which you would consider as competitors. That’s what makes this industry so very special.
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2022 issue 1
Editor's letter: Supersensory
With our growing insight into how to engage visitors’ more complex senses, it’s time for a new approach, says Magali Robathan
Immersive experiences: Joseph Wisne
Truly ambitious attractions providers need to push the boundaries of immersive design by engaging visitors’ senses of pain, danger, balance, justice and more, argues Roto’s CEO
Interview: Esther Dugdale
As the Burrell Collection relaunches and Eden Qingdao takes shape, Event’s creative director shares her tips for creating experiences that spark joy and curiosity
The arts: Room to grow
Could the space age, ultra flexible design of the new Taipei Performing Arts Center provide a model for future attractions spaces?
Museums: Ones to watch
From an AI museum built by robots to the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum, we take a look at some exciting 2022 openings
Research: All of history
As demand for growing honesty in relation to links to slavery and colonialism grows, should attractions be open about their history? Jon Young investigates
Opinion: Vince Kadlubek
Art engages and delights visitors. Kadlubek argues that attractions should embrace and support artists and look for shared initiatives
Waterparks: Waves of change
As The Wave inland surf lake announces plans to open six more sites, we go along for a surf and a sit down with CEO Craig Stoddart
Experience economy: Joe Pine
Experience platforms represent one of the biggest growth opportunities in today’s experience economy, argues Joe Pine. Here’s how to get them right
Interview: Cale Heit
With new themed coasters open at Motiongate Dubai and some intruiging projects underway, Forrec is making the most of the pent up demand for shared experiences. CEO Cale Heit tells us more
Wahl leads the operation of IAAPA’s regional offices, global sales and expos / IAAPA
Jakob Wahl has taken over as executive VP and chief operating officer of global attractions industry body IAAPA.
In the new role, Wahl will oversee the regional operations of the global association.
He reports directly to CEO Hal McEvoy – who has announced he will be retiring on 1 April 2023 – and leads the operation of IAAPA’s regional offices, global sales, three global Expos, and additional member events around the world.
Here Wahl tells Attractions Management about his plans for IAAPA.
What do you see as the biggest challenges facing IAAPA members right now? The global pandemic hit us all very hard – the facilities, the suppliers, IAAPA as an association – and we’re still moving through it. This rollercoaster ride is not over. Despite all the resulting challenges, we’ve still seen the global industry come together and grow in new ways – more than ever before. I think our industry still has a solid foundation and our members have learned a great deal the last 24 months. We truly have a bright future.
What’s the most exciting development you see in the market at the moment and why? The degree of innovation our members have achieved has been astounding. Attractions have pushed for a boost in digitalisation, and I’m amazed by the ongoing trend of social gamification: if you look at the expansion of the Aquaventure Waterpark in Dubai, every attraction has some kind of racing or social component to it. Finally, the staycation effect has led to an increased demand for regional parks.
What new initiatives are you planning? Along with everyone in the industry, we’ve noticed the hurdles of international travel; this is why we try to increase our offer regionally with more gatherings for the local attractions industry. We also further invest into our digital offerings on mobile and web platforms and more digital content available from the Expos.
Do you expect the war in Ukraine to impact the industry? This tragic conflict has been a huge hit for everyone. We’re impressed by many of our members stepping up, helping to support the victims of this horrible conflict. We’ve helped one of our members who still produces in Ukraine to share their message and also helped another member from Ukraine to find a new position in this industry. Indirectly, all of us feel the impact of this war through higher energy prices. For our members that means that operational costs increase, but also for their customers, the cost to travel to an attraction increases and may keep the public closer to home.
How do you balance the needs of all the different kinds of member attractions? I actually think that there isn’t anything to balance as it’s in all our interest to promote the industry and develop all aspects of our business. We have the true pleasure of sitting around a table and having everyone sharing their learnings with each other. Even those which you would consider as competitors. That’s what makes this industry so very special.
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2022 issue 1
Editor's letter: Supersensory
With our growing insight into how to engage visitors’ more complex senses, it’s time for a new approach, says Magali Robathan
Immersive experiences: Joseph Wisne
Truly ambitious attractions providers need to push the boundaries of immersive design by engaging visitors’ senses of pain, danger, balance, justice and more, argues Roto’s CEO
Interview: Esther Dugdale
As the Burrell Collection relaunches and Eden Qingdao takes shape, Event’s creative director shares her tips for creating experiences that spark joy and curiosity
The arts: Room to grow
Could the space age, ultra flexible design of the new Taipei Performing Arts Center provide a model for future attractions spaces?
Museums: Ones to watch
From an AI museum built by robots to the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum, we take a look at some exciting 2022 openings
Research: All of history
As demand for growing honesty in relation to links to slavery and colonialism grows, should attractions be open about their history? Jon Young investigates
Opinion: Vince Kadlubek
Art engages and delights visitors. Kadlubek argues that attractions should embrace and support artists and look for shared initiatives
Waterparks: Waves of change
As The Wave inland surf lake announces plans to open six more sites, we go along for a surf and a sit down with CEO Craig Stoddart
Experience economy: Joe Pine
Experience platforms represent one of the biggest growth opportunities in today’s experience economy, argues Joe Pine. Here’s how to get them right
Interview: Cale Heit
With new themed coasters open at Motiongate Dubai and some intruiging projects underway, Forrec is making the most of the pent up demand for shared experiences. CEO Cale Heit tells us more
OMA has completed a major transformation of New York's New Museum, creating a larger
cultural campus that combines expanded exhibition spaces with learning, performance,
hospitality and public programming.
A US$50 million (£44.2 million, €51.2 million) transformation of Chicago's historic McCormick
Mansion has created a new destination that combines live magic, immersive theatre, dining and
private membership under one roof.
The Montana Historical Society has officially celebrated the opening of its new Montana
Heritage
Center, a US$107 million (£79 million, €92 million) destination that combines immersive
storytelling with cutting-edge audiovisual technology to bring the sta
San Antonio Zoo has reported a US$283 million economic impact for 2025, following a decade-
long transformation programme that has seen almost US$200 million invested into the Texas
attraction.
Plans for the AU$180 million redevelopment of Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville, Australia, are
progressing, with the project set to transform the attraction into a global centre for reef
education and conservation.
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Disney has reaffirmed its commitment to investing US$30 billion in its US parks and cruise
business by 2033, using new America250 celebrations to underline the role its attractions play
in supporting jobs, tourism and economic growth.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme
that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
