Skip to main content

SeaWorld Q3 results show attendance boost

News
Intamin 'animal rescue' jet-ski coaster opens at SeaWorld San Antonio

SeaWorld has reported its third quarter results – which show a significant boost to attendance and revenue fuelled by the company’s successful recovery plan from the effects of the documentary Blackfish.

In the third quarter the company reported that attendance had increased by 0.7 million guests on the same period last year. That represents an increase of 9.7%.

The park reported that revenues increased by $45.5 million – an increase of 10.4% over the same period last year. This exceeded expectations.

In the year to date, attendance increased by 1.4 million guests, or 8.7%. Total revenue increased by $94.4 million, or 9.5%.

Earlier this year, the company announced a 3 year plan to drive increases in attendance and revenue per capita. Improved marketing strategies and more in-park opportunities are planned. In addition, capex of $150 million per year is promised to attract visitors with new rides, attractions, shows and events in every park, in every year.

“Strategic pricing strategies”

John Reilly, Interim Chief Executive Officer of SeaWorld Entertainment, said: “These results continue to show the strength of our underlying business model and the effectiveness of our strategic pricing strategies, marketing and communications initiatives and the positive reception of our new rides, attractions and events.

“We continued to see a double-digit increase in season pass sales revenue this quarter, further underscoring the effectiveness of our strategies.

“Our increase in total revenue per capita was driven by a 7.4% increase in in-park per capita spending that was attributable to our improved culinary and merchandise offerings and other in-park offerings including our front of the line pass Quick Queue”

Reilly added that the line-up of new rides and experiences for next year is the “best line up ever of new rides”. He added: “We are also enthusiastic about our new season pass program. In October, we introduced our new season pass structure and pricing that makes our parks more affordable than ever before with increased flexibility, more variety and the best and most valuable benefits we have ever offered.”

SeaWorld’s recovery continues

bier fest

The documentary Blackfish (2013), accusing SeaWorld of mistreating its killer whales, severely damaged the company’s reputation. Last month, SeaWorld was fined $5 million by the Securities and Exchange Commission for failing to disclose the negative impact “Blackfish” was having on its business.

The company announced that it would be 350 jobs last year as part of an effort to shed $40 million in costs by the end of 2018.

In response to a changing public sentiment in the US, SeaWorld has shifted away from Orca breeding and theatrical shows. Instead, it is highlighting its role as a global leader in animal rescue, rehabilitation, release and research. Existing show pools and viewing areas have been redesigned into more naturalistic settings.

SeaWorld’s recovery has been ongoing with positive Q1 results and positive H1 results – including the announcement of investment into new attractions. Recovery has partly been fuelled by high profile marketing campaigns, including “From Park to Planet” and Bier Fest at Busch Gardens.

Share this
Michael Mander

Michael Mander

I am a journalist from Essex, England. I enjoy travelling, and love exploring attractions around the world. I graduated from Lancaster University in 2018. Twitter @michael_mander.

More from this author

More from this author

Related content

Your web browser is out of date. Update your browser for more security, speed and the best experience on this site.

Find out how to update