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Having crossed the 100 million mark in attendance for the first time in 2011, Asia now represents a third of the global visitor attractions market.

According to the annual TEA/AECOM Theme Index, the rise in attendance and the quality of the guest experience at Asian attractions was coupled with 'healthy growth' in the number of visits made to theme parks in North America and Europe.

Released by the Economics practice at AECOM (formerly Economics Research Associates) and the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) the summary of their annual report is avaiable in advance of next week's Asian Attractions Expo in Hong Kong.

The summary can be viewed by clicking on the link below with the full report to be published within the next few days.

The 2011 figures point to economic recovery and to increased globalisation of the themed entertainment industry.

Asian parks performed particularly well during 2011, reporting an increase of 9.4% 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% while attendance for the top 20 European parks was up by 2.8%.

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, stated "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."

AECOM Senior Vice President - Economics John Robinett adds "with 105.1 million (visits) - to North America's 127 million - Asia represents about one-third of global theme park attendance. The gap will close substantially when Shanghai Disney opens - and we already know of several other major Asian theme parks planned or under construction. By adding five to 10 more theme parks, Asia will probably catch up to North America and then surpass it."

Figures from TEA/AECOM 2011 Theme Index

• 198.1 million: Total attendance for top 25 worldwide parks, +4.8% difference to 2010
•  127 million: Total visits to top 20 theme parks in North America, +2.9 % difference to 2010
•  105.1 million: Total visits to the top 20 Asian theme parks, +9.4% difference to 2010
•  57.8 million: Attendance for the top 20 European theme parks, +2.8% difference to 2010
•  24.4 million: Top 20 worldwide waterparks attendance in 2011, +9.4% difference to 2010
•  13.4 million: Total visits to top 10 Latin American theme parks, +0.7% difference to 2010
•  12.1 million: Total visits to top 10 Asian water parks, +22.3% difference to 2010
•  Top 5 theme parks worldwide, ranked by attendance: Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World (Orlando), Disneyland (Anaheim), Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo Disney Sea, Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris.
•  Top 5 theme park groups worldwide, ranked by attendance: Walt Disney Attractions, Merlin Entertainments Group, Universal Studios Recreation Group, Parques Reunidos, Six Flags.

Chris Yossi writes on the rise of the themed attractions industry in Asia in the May/June 2012 issue of Australasian Leisure Management.

The full TEA/AECOM 2011 Theme Index will shortly be published online while a preview of the report's findings can be read at www.teaconnect.org/pdf/TEAPR052512.pdf

Image: Tokyo Disney Sea.

29th August 2011 - CHINA CURBS THEME PARK PROJECTS

20th June 2011 - ASIAN ATTRACTIONS BOUNCE BACK AMID MIXED GLOBAL THEME PARKS PERFORMANCE

1st April 2011 - VILLAGE ROADSHOW TO DEVELOP CHINA THEME PARKS 

24th May 2010 - US GAMING COMPANY BETS LARGE ON SINGAPORE AND ASIA

29th April 2010 - GLOBAL STUDY SHOWS RESILIENCE IN THE THEME PARK INDUSTRY

25th January 2010 - IAAPA TAKES SAFETY EDUCATION ON THE ROAD IN 2010 

17th August 2009 - 70% OF CHINESE THEME PARKS ‘IN THE RED’

2nd June 2008 - SIX FLAGS PLANS MOVE INTO CHINA

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