Image: Asian parks did particularly well in 2011

The year 2011 was one of "economic recovery" and "increased globalization" for the theme park industry.

According to the annual TEA/AECOM Theme Index, there was 'healthy growth' in the number of visits made to theme parks in all three key markets of North America, Europe and Asia.

Asian parks performed particularly well during 2011, reporting an increase of 9.4 per cent in total visits - with overall attendance having for the first time passed the 100 million mark (105.1 million visitors).

Total visit to the top 20 theme parks in North America increased by 2.9 per cent while attendance for the top 20 European parks was up by 2.8 per cent.

Disney-owned parks again top the list of the most visited theme parks in the world, with Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World (Orlando, US) and Disneyland (Anaheim, US) topping the table - followed by Tokyo Disneyland in Japan and Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris, France.

Commenting on the performance of Asia's parks, Chris Yoshii, AECOM's Global director for Asia, said: "The various parks that did significant capital improvements were strongly rewarded by the market.

"There is a growing market for high end shows and show elements, multimedia spectaculars, night shows, lake shows that are well choreographed, with Cirque du Soleil-type acrobatics.

"Southeast Asia is quietly growing a substantial attractions industry - particularly waterparks which require a smaller footprint and capital investment. In Asia overall, we are still a good way from the saturation point."

To read the full TEA/AECOM Theme Index, visit: www.teaconnect.org (.pdf)

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