Tv Thermas02 Jun 17

Theme Index and Museum Index 2016 –waterpark attendance growth outperforms theme parks

Whilst visitors to the top 25 theme and amusement parks dipped by 1.1%, attendance at the top 20 waterparks grew by 3.6%. Outperforming the rest of the sector, the top 10 global theme parks groups recorded a combined 4.3% increase in guests, up from 420 to 438 million. Visitor numbers at the world’s 20 most popular museums were up by 1.2%.

“Following record-setting numbers in 2015, attendance results in 2016 were more modest but still reflective of a healthy, growing industry,” reports John Robinett, senior-vice president of Economics at AECOM. “Most markets saw slow, steady growth, while weather, tourism and political issues contributed to minor declines in others.”

The study suggests the slight overall decline in attendance at the top 25 theme parks was driven largely by anomalies in Asia. In some areas, revenues grew even where attendance did not, notably at Disney parks in North America. The report reveals an evolving theme park industry with many new ventures and developing markets. These are offset by well-established operators who continue to refine and improve ways of doing business.