Sunday, June 7, 2015
Report: Attendance increases at parks
ORLANDO, Fla.
Attendance increased at all but two of Florida’s theme parks last year.
The Themed Entertainment Association released a new report last week. Five of Florida’s parks were ranked in the top 25 worldwide.
Disney’s Magic Kingdom had the highest attendance at 19.33 million in 2014, up 4 percent from 18.59 million in 2013. Sister parks Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Holly-wood Studios all showed 2 percent increases.
Universal Studios showed the largest increase of all Florida parks, rising 17 percent to 8.26 million visitors last year. Universal’s Islands of Adventure showed no change from just over 8.1 million visitors in 2013.
Busch Gardens in Tampa increased 1 percent to 4.12 million.
SeaWorld Orlando’s attendance fell 8 percent from 5.09 million in 2013 to 4.68 million last year.
Geography quiz
Q. Lake Tahoe is shared by which states?
A. California and Nevada. It sits at an elevation of more than 6,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada.
NBA plans center at Disney Springs
NEW YORK
The NBA is going to Disney World.
The league said last week it is developing “The NBA Experience at Walt Disney World Resort,” which will be located at Disney Springs in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
It will include NBA video productions, interactive experiences for fans, plus a restaurant and retail store.
Commissioner Adam Silver says the league “can’t wait to bring the magic of Disney and the excitement of the NBA to guests from around the world.”
Disney Springs, the largest expansion in Downtown Disney history, is set for completion in 2016 and will grow to about 150 shopping, dining and entertainment venues.
There is no opening date for the NBA center, though such projects usually take a couple of years to complete.
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts chairman Bob Chapek says the NBA Experience “will be a terrific addition to the world-class lineup of shops and restaurants coming to Disney Springs.”
Tourism revenues likely to top $22B
RICHMOND, Va.
Virginia tourism revenues likely are to exceed $22.4 billion in 2014, a 4.1 percent increase Gov. Terry McAuliffe credits in part to the state’s rising culinary profile.
McAuliffe released the 2014 tourism numbers last week. He said tourism supports more than 216,000 jobs, making it the fifth-largest private employer in the state.
Tourism also generated more than $1.5 billion in state and local tax revenues.
The state’s travel industry supported a payroll of more than $5 billion, an increase of 3.8 percent.
The largest employment increase was in the food service industry.
Besides its beaches, mountains and historic attractions, Virginia’s rising reputation among foodies has helped generate more tourism dollars, according to McAuliffe.
Family ambassador
NEW YORK
Dora’s not just an explorer.
The plucky cartoon heroine also is reprising her role as New York City’s family ambassador.
NYC & Company said last week that its family tourism campaign will now include English and Spanish content.
Dora will help promote family travel to the city’s five boroughs during the year-long bilingual campaign.
Combined dispatches