Seaworld admits ‘brand challenges’ as revenues dive
Despite discounts and a major marketing push, revenue at theme park operator SeaWorld is still sinking.
Attendance, profit and revenue all fell in the second quarter as SeaWorld admitted ‘brand challenges’ remain, especially in California.
Attendance at SeaWorld’s theme parks fell by 2% from April to the end of June, to 6.5 million.
Net income plunged by 85% to only $5.8 million this quarter.
"Our attendance for the second quarter declined due to the timing of Easter, record levels of rainfall in Texas and continued brand challenges in California," said CEO Joel Manby.
"These factors were partially offset by improved demand in our other park locations, including Florida."
SeaWorld’s struggles can be traced back to the ‘Blackfish’ documentary of 2013, which forced the company to defend its treatment of marine animals in captivity.
SeaWorld said last year it would expand its killer whale tanks at all three of its marine parks.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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