TEA ERA 3/26/07 4:18 PM Page V
www.parkworld-online.com
2006 Theme Park Attendance Numbers
Demonstrate The Benefits of Reinvestment
By Judith Rubin
About this Report
affect the numbers are noted in the
This annual study of global theme comments and analysis provided. Part
park attendance numbers compiled of framing the yearly snapshot is
by Economics Research Associates deciding how many to include on a
(ERA) identifies the top commercial particular list in order to give the
theme parks around the world, and clearest representation, i.e. top 25
presents an instructive, yearly worldwide given for 2006; top 20
snapshot of the industry for the North American given for 2006. It
benefit of those whose businesses should be noted that some 2005
depend on it. In past years, this numbers (published last year in
report was released in Amusement Amusement Business) have been
Business, which recently ceased adjusted and updated based on new
publication. TEA was fortunately in a information and may not be directly
position to take up the production of comparable to previous years’
“Rule Number One
this vital report and arrange for its published information. Facilities that
in the theme park
simultaneous printing in two maga- for one reason or another do not
zines, Park World and InPark. The qualify for the tallies but that fit into
industry is ‘Thou
information will also be available in the general industry and are generat-
Shalt Reinvest!’”
pdf format on the TEA and ERA ing significant attendance, are
websites at www.teaconnect.org and addressed in the end notes on page
www.econres.com, respectively. 10. Eventually some of these are
Ray Braun, ERA
liable to warrant the creation of new
ERA obtains the figures used to create categories, as the nature of parks,
this report through a variety of attractions and entertainment
sources, including statistics furnished continues to evolve.
directly by the operators, historical
numbers, financial reports, the
A Quick Sketch of
investment banking community, local The Global Picture
tourism organizations and convention Overall, the 2006 numbers point to
and visitors bureaus, among others. stability and moderate growth,
The global market is studied as a showing a worldwide attendance
whole, and each of its four main increase of 2.2%. In all tallies, few
regions are also studied separately: parks have changed position from
North America, Latin America, Europe 2005. Disney remains the leader,
and Asia. There is also a table of the topping the worldwide list and all
top waterparks in the United States regional lists except Mexico/Latin
and of the top global chain operators. America. The latter market is less
To be included in the study, a facility developed compared to North
must be gated (entry ticket required). America and Europe because of a
North American parks must have disparity in income levels and a more
annual visits above one million. To be moderately-sized middle-class
included on the top chains list, a population (although growing).
chain operator must have theme Nonetheless, several years ago this
parks in its portfolio. region introduced a most promising
new product type in La Ciudad de los
Factors such as development, pricing, Ninos
~
(Kidzania), a unique facility set
customer service, weather, demo- up as a functional mini-metropolis in
graphics, investment/expansion, which children role-play at being
attendance and other dynamics that working adults. This Mexico City
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