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ITPS Amusement INdustry News
January 21, 2008
No where else can you find more news covering the amusement and leisure industry! When news hits, you can be certain that will deliver it to you.
ITPS has proudly served the leisure industry since 1983. Visit http://www.interthemepark.com for more information.
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Amusement/Theme Park News
Disney May Raise Stake in Its Hong Kong Theme Park Walt Disney Co., the second-largest U.S. media company, may increase its stake in its struggling Hong Kong Disneyland theme park as attendance figures falter. ``We do anticipate an additional investment ourselves,'' said Hong Kong Disneyland's managing director, Bill Ernest, in an interview in Hong Kong today. He didn't elaborate.
N.O. theme park waves white flag Nagin: Six Flags not likely to reopen NEW ORLEANS — The roller-coaster track juts high into the sky like a colossal skeleton in a graveyard of rides and booths, and a sign at the main entrance to Six Flags New Orleans still reads “CLOSED FOR STORM.’’ It has been nearly 29 months since Hurricane Katrina flooded 80 percent of New Orleans, including the extreme eastern part of the city where Six Flags sits just off Interstate 10.
Disney's Pleasure Island still evolving The slow evolution of Downtown Disney's Pleasure Island continues with the recent opening of a second specialty apparel shop, the impending shutdown of a live-music nightclub, and the anticipated reuse of a long-closed building. Opening shortly before Christmas was a new, two-story shop called Curl by Sammy Duval, named after the water-skiing legend and featuring name-brand surf and skateboard fashions, boards and gear.
The $1trillion thrill-seekers The Middle East has committed $1 trillion to build and operate new leisure developments, according to new study. Dubai alone will spunk $381.4 billion, Saudi Arabia $184.4bn and Abu Dhabi $131.3bn in a race to create viable tourism facilities.
Consumer Spending At Parks And Attractions In The Middle East Set To Quadruple To Over AED 730 Million Between 2009 And 2011 Dubai , UAE - January 21, 2008: The amusement parks and attractions sector in the Middle East is in the midst of a strong growth phase with guest spending at parks and attractions in the Middle East set to increase sharply from AED 183.5 million in 2009 to AED 734 million in 2011 said Charlie Bray, President & CEO, International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA).
DreamWorks to build theme park in Dubai - report DUBAI: DreamWorks, the American studio behind such box-office hits as the animated film "Shrek," is to build a theme park in Dubai, the daily The Khaleej Times reported Sunday. The studio has signed an agreement with Tatweer, a subsidiary of the state-owned investment firm Dubai Holding, to develop the project which includes restaurants, hotels and retail outlets, the newspaper said.
FROM FAIRY TALE TO NIGHTMARE Siam Park owner puts business up for sale after string of accidents There is usually a fairy tale atmosphere in the air, but the feeling today at Siam Park is rather oppressive for owner Chaiwat Luangamornlert. In almost 28 years of running the park, it had never occured to him that one day his dream would become a nightmare.
Legoland California announces 2007 results, 2008 expansion plans Media and special guests were given a small taste of the Land of Adventure experience today at LEGOLAND® California as elements of the Park’s first-ever dark ride were unveiled during a business news conference. John Jakobsen, president and general manager of LEGOLAND California announced excellent attendance and high guest satisfaction in 2007 and gave more details about 2008 expansion plans.
Six Flags Fixes Record Date for PIERS Dividend Six Flags, Inc. announced today it has fixed February 1, 2008 as the record date for payment of a dividend for the quarter ending February 15, 2008 to the holders of its Preferred Income Equity Redeemable Shares ("PIERS"), each such PIERS representing one one-hundredth of a share of the Company's 71/4 % Convertible Preferred Stock. Payment of the dividend, which will be paid 100 % in cash, will be made on February 15, 2008. The dividend will aggregate $.453125 per PIERS.
Waterpark News
Hotels with water parks are hot lodging option SANDUSKY, Ohio -- Sarah Cable hopped onto a single water ski and surfed around on a giant, man-made wave inside the Kalahari Resort water park. The 20-year-old Sandusky resident darted left and right, showing off her skills on one of the park's most popular attractions.
Kalahari plan faces additional scrutiny On Tuesday, Fredericksburg City Council members will consider voting on a letter of intent tied to the $230 million Kalahari Resorts water-park hotel proposed in Celebrate Virginia. That vote is not the last decision the council will have to make before the project's fate is final.
Aquarium/Zoo News
$750,000 Challenge Grant Heats Up Exhibit At Scripps Birch Aquarium The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation has awarded a challenge grant of $750,000 to Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego to support its multifaceted climate change exhibit and educational program entitled Feeling the Heat: The Climate Challenge. For the next three years, Birch Aquarium will showcase this $1.5 million exhibit to communicate the issues surrounding global climate change.
Inspectors to put S.F. Zoo under the microscope The fatal tiger attack at the San Francisco Zoo has drawn police, politicians, pundits and paparazzi to the big-cat grotto where a visitor was killed on Christmas Day. The professionals are coming soon, and they represent the group the animal world possibly fears the most: the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. Advocates call the organization a sophisticated support network helping to save species that might otherwise become extinct. Critics describe it as an old boys' club that wields tremendous power over zoos yet is often ineffectual.
Blind Seal Ready for L.A. Zoo Visitors LOS ANGELES (AP) — Visitors can now see the Los Angeles Zoo's newest attraction, but he can't see them. A blind harbor seal named Alfred, which made its debut Friday, was rescued off the coast of New Jersey nearly a year ago and, after a long search by the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, the L.A. Zoo took him in October.
Cool creatures | Animals at Pittsburgh zoo remain active in winter One of the coolest angles relating to the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is that winter is a great time to visit. The zoo is open daily and depending on the weather, most animals are out and about enjoying the seasonal temperatures.
Zoo poo won't go to waste Elephant, giraffe houses to be fueled by the animals The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden has launched a project that will turn one of its most abundant natural resources into energy. Poop. There are no specific numbers on how much it will save the zoo in energy costs, but the team working on the project says it will be tens of thousands of dollars annually at the outset and more as the program progresses.
FEC/LBE/Museum News
Orlando Science Center's inner view of video games attracts record crowd The moment wasn't unusual for Otronicon, the Orlando Science Center's annual convention of everything video game-related. Visitors of all ages and ability levels have spent the past three days testing their mettle in games from Pac-Man to Halo 3 to military simulators, and, organizers say, learning about the art and science behind the games.
Other News
Surfing anyone? Cruise ships up the ante On-board activities get more innovative Cruise lines are striving to become more creative, offering innovative opportunities for travelers. more stories like this Innovative last week Snow-plowing decisions in Ashland Maintenance blamed in '03 cruise blast NTSB: Crew to blame for tilting ship Sailing away from them all Princess Cruises says it is the only big North American line to offer wedding ceremonies at sea performed by the ship's captain. Other lines offer wedding packages, but Princess ships are registered in Bermuda, which grants captains the authority to perform marriages on the high seas.
Windfall for S'pore hotels as record tourists arrive SINGAPORE'S hotel sector looks set to continue its spectacular rebound as room rates and visitor numbers hit record levels and the city-state unveils numerous sparkling attractions, experts say. The inaugural Singapore Airshow, which bills itself as Asia's largest aerospace and defence event, starts the year off with thousands of foreign visitors expected in February.
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Contact:
Shawn M. Haas
Vice President of Retail, Operations and Information Technology
International Theme Park Services, Inc
2195 Victory Parkway
Cincinnati, OH 45206
513-381-6131 Phone
513-381-2756 Fax
http://www.interthemepark.com
shawnhaas@interthemepark.com
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ITPS Services
ITPS provides a full spectrum of services to all types of attractions no matter the size, small to large.
Below are some of the services that ITPS' experienced team of experts can provide:
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Call 513-381-6131 for more information on how ITPS can assist your facility!
25 Years...
Through the good, the bad and the ugly, International Theme Park Services, Inc. (“ITPS”) continues to provide the industry with its skilled services internationally.
ITPS celebrates its 25th year in 2008 and has served over 450 projects in over 40 countries! Considered a leader in the industry by the many companies who have used ITPS’ services, ITPS is still growing and offering its knowledge and experience to every continent. Dennis Speigel, President of ITPS, is a past president of the IAAPA and remains active on their Board of Directors. He is called upon by people throughout the industry to advise and recommend on projects. A leader today and for the future, ITPS is there when you need assistance.
Feasibility, design, pre-opening planning, business audits, on-site training and management…ITPS is still leading the industry into the future.
Leisure Capital Resources
International Theme Park Services provides merger, acquisition, financial, and strategic advisory services to public and private entertainment companies that wish to acquire or sell a business, raise equity capital, raise or restructure debt, or sell real estate.
Contact: Dennis Speigel at 513-381-6131 or Howard Kahn at affiliated Leisure Capital Resources in New York at 516-621-5183.