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Coronavirus: Impact on Theme Parks

Matt N

CF Legend
I’ve actually heard that travel companies will have to keep prices low initially due to demand, but then they can increase once demand returns.

I must admit, I’m surprised you’re allowed to travel to Germany now, as doesn’t the UK government still advise against foreign travel or even long-distance travel within the UK?
 

Nicky Borrill

Strata Poster
I’ve actually heard that travel companies will have to keep prices low initially due to demand, but then they can increase once demand returns.

I must admit, I’m surprised you’re allowed to travel to Germany now, as doesn’t the UK government still advise against foreign travel or even long-distance travel within the UK?
Highlighted the key word for you buddy :)

Means insurance is more expensive, should you want to take no risks, but not nearly as expensive as I'd feared for "high risk" insurance within Europe, guess the insurance companies think it's stupid too...

I saw an article (I should know better!!!) That said a survey had suggested over 50% of people were going to travel to Europe as soon as able, regardless of quarantine!!! If that kind of demand materializes, prices will rocket.

Edit, found an article covering the same survey... this was how citizens around the world plan to take vacations as soon as local lockdowns are eased!!! ???

2020-05-26-122511245-Half-of-Brits-planning-international-travel-after-bans-lift.jpg
 

Matt N

CF Legend
On the flip side, that sort of demand could be very good for the tourism industry, which in turn could make things like the parks recover more quickly!
 

Professor

Previously AndrewRollercoaster
Wicksteed Park Limited (the company that runs the rides at the park) has gone into administration.
The owner of the Wicksteed Charitable Trust, that owns the land said the situation looks grim and the park will probably not be the same without significant support.

It is my local park.

:(

Edit:
A new company that has been set up by the trust might be part of a rescue strategy but it needs desperate support.
 
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Hixee

Flojector
Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
Social Media Team
Edit, found an article covering the same survey... this was how citizens around the world plan to take vacations as soon as local lockdowns are eased!!! ???

View attachment 8588
An interesting chart, but without the "how do you usually (pre-Covid) holiday?" chart, it's kinda meaningless. 32% of American's travelling abroad sounds... high for a good year to me (maybe they're counting Canada, lol).

UK numbers are lower than I'd expect to be under normal circumstances, mind. We travel internationally A LOT proportionally speaking.
 

Nicky Borrill

Strata Poster
An interesting chart, but without the "how do you usually (pre-Covid) holiday?" chart, it's kinda meaningless. 32% of American's travelling abroad sounds... high for a good year to me (maybe they're counting Canada, lol).

UK numbers are lower than I'd expect to be under normal circumstances, mind. We travel internationally A LOT proportionally speaking.

We do Travel a LOT, but there’s usually the supply to meet that demand... It will be interesting see how this (still seemingly high) potential demand is met, if indeed it does exist.

Honestly, prices are so low still at the moment, that I’m looking at booking as much as I can for between now and sept in case they go up (not booking beyond Sept just yet, in case there is any seasonality to covid)

At the moment flights in August are still extremely low!!! That’s very unusual for the school holidays.

I may start using my credit card for booking trips though ? Not well versed in it, but I believe it offers extra protection?
 

Professor

Previously AndrewRollercoaster
The animal attraction Living Coasts in Torquay has announced that it won't be re-opening.


The park is a small, specialist collection of coastal species situated right on the seafront in Torbay managed in conjunction with Paignton and Newquay Zoos under the Wild Planet Trust umbrella. I'm assuming they had to ditch the smallest attraction to keep the others afloat. There are also rumours there are large structural costs to deal with due to the seafront location as well as the pandemic but it is clear that that hasn't helped.

First victim in the attraction sector if M&D's manages to re-open I assume.

I'm really sad to read that.

Even sadder when you see tweets from the zoo's Twitter account (I'm no longer a Twitter user to be fair) asking for people to adopt an animal in April: 3 likes, 3 shares and 0 comments. What a difference there could have been if that had been picked by the media or some momentum from other users.

I don't get how zoo support or considering them for re-opening came so late and why there weren't better plans. Ikea was allowed to open several weeks ago and can most likely pay all the furlough money back.
No one gave a **** about zoos it seems.

I think we as humans have been far too wrapped up with ourselves this year. Useless at saving ourselves and can't even take care of a small zoo. Heartbreaking and frustrating beyond belief.
 

Hutch

Strata Poster
Canobie Lake Park has announced that they will be opening July 16th, exactly one month from today. No news on details/protocol yet, but they're planning to release more info soon.
 

Professor

Previously AndrewRollercoaster
An eagle eyed person on Facebook spotted that the guy's mask on Icon came off his nose at the end of the first launch. ?
 

Hyde

Matt SR
Staff member
Moderator
Social Media Team
Don't worry gang - will be testing my face mask on 90+ MPH coasters in a few weeks; will report back. ?
 
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