IAAPA anticipates summertime uptick at theme parks
Members of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions are expecting stronger numbers at the gate this summer, the trade association announced Tuesday.
IAAPA expects a 2% increase in theme park attendance in North America and a 7% uptick in consumer spending. The trend toward family-friendly entertainment and animal-oriented attractions should boost the industry, said Jakob Wahl, president and CEO of Orlando-based IAAPA.
Visitors’ increased willingness to spend on special occasions can bolster bottom lines, Wahl said during a presentation on the Bayside Stadium stage at SeaWorld Orlando.
“We have seen is that people are willing to spend more on the parks because they want to make those days extra special,” Wahl said. “You see that we have more and more upscale premier experiences where people are willing to actually spend.”
He pointed to front-of-line privileges, fine dining and animal encounters as attractive extras.
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IAAPA members represent theme parks, water parks, zoos, family entertainment centers, museums, manufacturers, suppliers and other attractions-related businesses in more than 100 countries.
Additions to Central Florida theme parks in the next few months will include Tiana’s Bayou Adventure ride at Magic Kingdom, Penguin Trek roller coaster at SeaWorld and DreamWorks Land at Universal Studios, which also will introduce a new lagoon show called “CineSational” and an in-park parade named “Universal Mega Movie Parade.”
“If you look at the investment program that Universal does, that SeaWorld does, that Disney does with their big announcements, I’m pretty confident that we will see a rise in international tourism as much as domestic tourism,” Wahl said.