New Parks, Themed Areas, and Record-breaking Rides to Debut at European Attractions and Amusement Parks in 2013

BRUSSELS, April 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

More than 300 amusement parks and attractions in Europe are currently in their last phase of preparations for the new season, which starts for many at the end of March. To attract more guests for a fun day out for the whole family, parks across Europe have invested more than 500 million Euros during the winter to offer more thrills, more fun, and more enjoyable experiences in 2013.

http://www.iaapa.org/docs/eas-2013/what%27s-new_en_overview.pdf?sfvrsn=0

Visiting an amusement park is a great way to have a fun day out with the whole family. To enhance the experience, parks and attractions all across Europe have invested massively to bring even more excitement to their guests. Two complete new theme parks will open in the spring season 2013 in Istanbul/Turkey and Sicily/Italy.

In addition, the many existing parks will present plenty of new record-breaking rides and rollercoasters to thrill their guests. Many facilities have also expanded their attractions possibilities with complete new themed areas in the park. These highly themed areas will take the visitor on an immersive journey into the world of fairytales, children's books, fantasy lands, and exotic regions from far away. Karen Staley, Vice President, European Operations for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) states: "Storytelling continues to be more and more important for all parks. It is their goal to offer families the opportunity to experience together a unique adventure when stepping into a completely different world leaving the reality of daily life behind."

Also part of the new attractions strategy is the additional investment into greater accommodation offerings for guests. Many facilities are offering visitors the ability to stay longer at their facilities for a short holiday break and many are building new hotels to accomodate overnight stays for guests. In 2013, two parks will extend their capacity with the construction of unique accommodation offers. In France guests will be able to sleep in lodges overlooking the savannah with African animals. In Southern Germany visitors can enjoy the experience of sleeping in a medieval knight's castle.

Annually, the more than 300 parks in Europe welcome over 160 million visitors. The total annual turnover amounts to around 10 billion Euros. For the 2013 season the attractions industry has invested more than 500 million Euros in new projects and improvements to their parks.

The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) is the premier trade association for the attractions industry worldwide. Founded in 1918, IAAPA is the largest international trade association for permanently situated amusement facilities and attractions and is dedicated to the preservation and prosperity of the amusement industry. IAAPA represents more than 4,500 attractions, suppliers, and individual members from more than 90 countries, 900 alone in Europe. The association's global headquarters office is in Alexandria, Virginia, United States. The association maintains regional offices in Brussels, Mexico City, and Hong Kong.