ABOVE: Chimelong Qingyuan Forest Resort. Courtesy Chimelong Group.
AECOM today released its China Theme Park Pipeline Report, which details the distribution of theme parks across China, number and scale by geographic region, and offers unique attendance insights that are often difficult to obtain.
“In recent years there has been a substantial investment by Chinese theme park owners and operators, but our research shows that attendance levels are still considerably lower than other developed markets such as the United States,” said Chris Yoshii, vice president, economics and global director of leisure + culture, Asia, AECOM. “While the total attendance at China’s theme parks grew to 190 million visits in 2017, a 20 percent year-over-year growth, it is still a markedly lower per-capita attendance compared with other developed economies. These findings demonstrate a significant opportunity for future growth in the Chinese market.”
According to the report, the future pipeline for theme parks in China appears robust. At least 70 new theme parks are under construction or in a detailed planning stage. “We anticipate that by year 2020, China will have surpassed the United States in terms of total theme park attendance,” said Mr. Yoshii.
AECOM’s economics practice produced the report at a unique moment for China’s theme park industry, when owners and operators are assessing future trends and potential paths forward for investment success.
“We found that parks with a clear and distinctive theme, such as those tied to international intellectual property brands, stand a higher chance of business success than independent parks. Overall, however, trends for China’s theme park industry are strong and offer a myriad opportunities for both themed and non-themed owners and operators.”
The China Theme Park Pipeline Report is meant to serve as a reference tool for industry analysts and media. It’s proprietary research reflects AECOM’s extensive experience in the themed entertainment industry globally and the firm’s unparalleled expertise of the market conditions and environment in China.
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