Italian permanent parks association, growing turnout
The two complicated years caused by the pandemic, which caused amusement parks to lose 75% in 2020 and 50% in 2021, are largely exceeded by the numbers recorded in the current season: thetrend of water parks, thanks to the great heat of this summer, it is extremely positive, with a double-digit increase in terms of turnout compared to 2019 and peaks that even touch + 40%. The only negative note is represented by the exponential increase in energy costs, doubled compared to the past and which will determine a net reduction in profits.
About the news the inspection of various swimming pools throughout the country and the closure measures ordered by the NASthe Italian Permanent Parks Association, member of Confindustria, clarifies that among the members there are no water parks affected by the arrangement.
In Italy there are 100 water parks: the Association believes that the definition of “water parks” used by various press organs is not precise, because the measures mainly involve swimming pools in hotels or sports clubs and, as far as we know, in most cases abusive, therefore beyond any control. The water parks belonging to PPI are instead constantly subjected to inspections by the Provincial Control Commission and ASL, which certify the effective application of all protocols.
Compliance with technical regulations at national and European level is a fundamental requirement for joining the Association, to ensure the safety of both guests and staff. And again on the subject of safety, the Association offers water parks an assistance and consultancy service aimed at the continuous and constant sanitation of the water.
“Among our associates – he declares Luciano Pareschi, President of the Italian Permanent Parks Association – There were no problems. The controls that reward those who have invested in modern and safe water treatment plants are welcome, therefore it is necessary to check the NAS and the closure of non-compliant structures is essential, because the discredit of those who do not work correctly falls on the entire category. We hope that in the future these inspections will be carried out at the beginning of the season, so that the measures are immediately effective, avoiding situations that are harmful to the health of guests and avoiding the unfair competition that these structures cause to the detriment of the entire category “.
The Italian Permanent Parks sector is made up of approx 230 companies including theme, wildlife, adventure and water parks, and in 2019 it generated a turnover of 450 million euros referring to the ticket officea figure that rises to 1 billion with induced activities within the parks, such as catering and merchandising, ea 2 billion considering the external sector, relating for example to shopping malls, hotels and other services near parks. At the employment level, the sector employs 25,000 permanent and seasonal workers, 60,000 with related industries. In 2019 there were 20 million visitors from Italy, plus 1.5 million foreigners, for a total of 1.1 million overnight stays in hotels.