SeaWorld announces strong performance despite protests
SeaWorld Entertainment said it had best-ever attendance figures for the fourth quarter of 2013, brushing off claims it has been damaged by the ‘Blackfish’ documentary film controversy, critical of SeaWorld and its treatment of captive killer whales.
Declining to release exact figures, Orlando-based SeaWorld said its three marine parks in San Diego, San Antonio and Orlando had their best fourth-quarter performance in terms of visitor attendance.
The company also expects to post highest ever full-year revenue figures in its 50-year history of around $1.46 billion.
SeaWorld Entertainment owns and operates 11 theme parks in total including Busch Gardens parks in Tampa and Williamsburg, Va.
By releasing this earnings preview early, the company is hoping to head off questions about the extent of negative publicity generated by the film’s release in October 2013.
The CNN-produced documentary has fueled protests by animal rights activists at Seaworld’s Orlando marine park and in response, the company has been on a PR offensive in the national media.
Since the airing of the film, several music artists have canceled planned shows at Seaworld including Willie Nelson and Heart.
Southwest Airlines last week also became embroiled in Seaworld protests, with activists delivering a 25,000-signature petition to the airline demanding it scraps a co-branding partnership with the theme park operator.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers