Leisure Development Partners (LDP), a leading economic and strategy consulting firm, has announced the publication of the latest edition of The Experience Economist, which takes a close look at Europe with a deep dive into the UK.
Natalia Bakhlina, partner at LDP, says: "With the UK attractions market expected to become the second largest in Europe over the coming years, opportunities for services related to theme park-anchored resort developments are expanding rapidly.
"At the same time, both the experiential sector and the competitive socialising space are maturing, making it essential for operators to meet—and increasingly exceed—evolving customer expectations to remain competitive."
The Experience Economist series is free to access on the LDP website and offers regionally focused editions to help developers, investors, and operators make informed decisions backed by international benchmarks and local realities.
The Experience Economist: Europe 2026 Edition and previous editions are available to download here.
Data-driven insights
The report identified five key takeaways, including how European attraction groups are moving into a new stage, seeking portfolio optimisation, operational efficiency, and value over volume, as well as stronger environmental credentials.
It also considers the rapid growth of the UK attractions market, with significant developments both underway and in the planning stages. The UK is now beginning to rival Germany, the established runner-up in European attractions market share.
Meanwhile, the experiential and competitive socialising industries continue to diversify in the attempt to secure a niche in a maturing market. For these organisations, strong transport accessibility is vital.
Relatively modest incomes and the UK's high cost of living are another key theme and continue to challenge visitors' willingness and ability to spend at attractions. This marks a shift towards quality over frequency or quantity of entertainment.
These challenges are compounded by a high operating cost base driven by a high VAT rate, rents and business rates, considerable staffing costs, and utility bills. These issues are driving the push for operational efficiencies and the use of AI and other technologies.
Each issue of The Experience Economist offers data-driven insights, benchmarks, and market intelligence, with future editions set to spotlight different regions and continue building a global library of insights into the scale, performance, and opportunities of the attractions sector.
The Experience Economist: APAC 2026 Edition was released earlier this year.
Rebecca Hardy has over 10 years' experience in the culture and heritage sector. She studied Fine Art at university and has written for a broad range of creative organisations including artists, galleries, and retailers. When she's not writing, she spends her time getting lost in the woods and making mud pies with her young son.
