IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry, has released a new resource which communicates the attractions industry’s importance across Europe, showing how the sector creates jobs, drives revenue and supports the wider tourism industry. The new document, complied by IAAPA EMEA, also highlights the assistance that the industry needs from government ministers in the region.
In doing so, the association hopes to encourage government leaders support the recovery of the attractions industry in the region. To create the resource, IAAPA EMEA partnered with members from Europe to compile a critical list of actions that will help the sector with its recovery.
Actions for recovery
This list includes actions such as:
- Extended employment support
- Financial aid to help operators deal with liquidity and fixed business costs
- Vaccination passport standards
- Harmonised travel restrictions
- Defining parks and location-based leisure activities as part of the tourism industry
- Including tourism in national recovery plans
- Improving infrastructure and mobility throughout the region
The document also details the sector’s commitment to keeping both guests and staff safe in the wake of the pandemic, reinforcing the work that went into creating IAAPA’s COVID-19 reopening guidance, which it first published in July 2020 and has been continually updating throughout the pandemic. This publication supports operators as they reopen and implement new safety procedures and was created with input from medical professionals, industry leaders and government agencies.
“We understand all business sectors have been impacted by COVID-19,” says Jakob Wahl, executive director and vice president, IAAPA EMEA.
“However, the attractions industry has been overlooked as governments address support for business sectors as they prepare to reopen. We are ready to return to business while operating with enhanced public health measures in place.
“Our members encourage local ministers to visit attractions and amusement parks to see for themselves the many steps we have taken as we ready to re-hire, return to business and once again, provide leisure activities for guests throughout Europe.”
The importance of the attractions industry
A recent economic impact study conducted by IAAPA shows that in Europe, the industry generated revenues of €29.6 billion, contributing €3.43 billion in tax and supporting 85,115 direct and 170,382 indirect jobs in 2018.
COVID-19 will have a lasting impact on the region, across the attractions industry as well as the wider hospitality and tourism sectors. This resource aims to highlight the sector’s needs and show how decision-makers in the region can help to ensure its recovery by continuing a dialogue with operators.
The full “Restarting and Returning to Growth” document can be downloaded here.
Last month, IAAPA also released a study showing the impact of COVID-19 on attractions in the US.
