New strategies for Cedar Fair

New strategies for Cedar Fair

TOLEDO

One of the nation’s biggest amusement-park chains is banking on technology and sports to generate more revenue.

Cedar Fair Entertainment Co.’s new strategies include adding interactive computer-aided rides, offering electronic photo packages and building sports complexes, said Chief Executive Matt Ouimet.

The company, based in Sandusky, operates 14 amusement and water parks in North America, including Cedar Point and Kings Island in Ohio. It’s on pace to bring in a record $1.23 billion in revenue this year.

Cedar Fair is working with game maker Electronic Arts Inc. to build two digital attractions that will open next year.

Another idea being looked at would offer customers more photos of themselves.

Ouimet, who spent 17 years with the Walt Disney Co. before taking over at Cedar Fair, said he’s copying an idea from his former employer, which found that opening a sports complex at Walt Disney World in Florida brought in new visitors.

Cedar Fair is putting up land it bought near its flagship park in Sandusky for a youth sport complex. The complex is slated to open late next year.

Readers choice

Adventures by Disney, Disney Cruise Line and Walt Disney World Resort were honored as the “best of the best” for vacation experiences in the recently announced Travel Weekly 2015 Readers Choice Awards.

Readers selected Adventures by Disney as the best in the “adventure” category for tour operators, Disney Cruise Line as the “best family experience” in the cruise line category and Walt Disney World Resort as the best “theme park.”

Travel Weekly’s annual Readers Choice Awards honors industry suppliers who lead the way in products and services throughout the year.

Geography quiz

Q. Which state has a longer ocean coastline, Alabama or Oregon?

A. Oregon. It’s not even close. Depending on who’s doing the measuring, Oregon’s coast is about 363 miles, compared with Alabama’s 53. The measurements do not include inlets and bays.

Boost to tourism

CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands

The U.S. Virgin Islands has signed a 10-year deal with the world’s second-largest cruise line to help boost tourism and generate revenue.

The Port Authority said last week that Royal Caribbean Cruises has pledged among other things to guarantee a certain amount of passengers and pay a fee to berth at the island of St. Croix. The company owns two of the largest cruise ships in the world that already visit St. Thomas on alternate weeks.

Officials said the deal was reached after several years of negotiation and becomes effective October 2016.

Taking reservations

MEMPHIS, Tenn.

Elvis Presley fans are a little closer to a night’s stay in his new digs at Graceland.

Graceland says The Guest House at Graceland resort hotel is taking reservations for late next year. The 450-room hotel is having its grand-opening celebration Oct. 27-30.

A news release from Graceland says during opening weekend, guests will include some of Presley’s close friends, music artists, performers and celebrities.

Special events also are planned for next November and December.

For more information, visit www.graceland.com/guesthouse.

Combined dispatches