Compagnie des Alpes announced Q1 sales, showing a decline of €41.4 million (12.2%) for Leisure Parks compared to the prior year.
Several factors resulted in reductions in sales of 21%:
- The Dolfinarium was closed for refurbishment of its dome (scheduled to reopen on April 27, 2013)
- one less weekend compared to the same period last year
- repositioning of the French Christmas holidays which particularly affected Futuroscope
Offsetting these non-recurring factors were successful Halloween events for example the “Fear in Parc Astérix” generated a 6% increase in visitor numbers and a 10% increase in sales and “Fright Nights” at Walibi Holland had a similar effect with visitor numbers up 6% and sales up 9%.
View for the rest of the year
Looking to the 2013 season which runs from April, CDA cite the following positive developments:
- Strategic reorganisation across the Group should show positive results
- Walibi Brand: Continued development of the “reinvigorated” Walibi brand at key sites, eg the reopening of the Turbine ride at Walibi Belgium
- Resort Development: A first step towards the potential development of resort business with the launch of The Walibi Village concept in the Netherlands.
- Content Development: Across other brands in the Group, there have been selective investments in developing content, eg the OzIris ride at Parc Astérix and its OzIris ride and at the Musée Grévin where Q1 sales increased by 6.3% and visitor numbers by 2.5%).
- International Development: 2013 will see the first international Grévin with Grévin Montréal opening April 19, 2013.