Friday, August 16, 2024 The 2023 TEA/AECOM Theme Index has revealed that Disney Experiences continues to lead the global theme park industry, maintaining its position as the top operator worldwide with a 23% increase in admissions, totaling 142 million visitors. However, the most striking development in the report is the meteoric rise of China’s Fantawild Group, which has secured the No. 2 spot by achieving a staggering 111% growth in admissions, reaching 85 million visitors.
According to the report, the top 25 theme parks worldwide saw a collective 23% increase in attendance in 2023 compared to 2022, signaling a strong recovery in the industry. This recovery is particularly notable as many parks were closed in 2022 due to the pandemic. The report highlights that the industry has essentially returned to its pre-pandemic levels, with Chinese parks playing a significant role in this resurgence.
Chinese theme parks, especially those operated by Fantawild Group, saw the largest year-over-year attendance growth, with a remarkable 78% increase. This surge is attributed to the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions that heavily impacted Chinese parks in 2022. Fantawild’s rapid expansion, including the addition of 10 new venues between 2020 and 2023, has solidified its position as a major player in the global theme park industry.
The group’s “asset light” model, which relies on government funding for new parks while Fantawild operates them, is expected to fuel further growth. In .
