Merlin Entertainments, Europe's leading and the world's second-largest visitor attraction operator, has reported preliminary results for the year ended 26 December 2015.
The firm has seen a robust financial performance despite challenging trading at a number of attractions.
There has been a continued strong performance in the Legoland Parks Operating Group, with like-for-like revenue growth of 8.2% primarily reflecting growth in revenue per capita (RPC)
During the period, Midway Attractions Operating Group saw like-for-like revenue growth of 2.3%.
Despite a strong initial start to 2015, Resort Theme Parks Operating Group revenue declined by 12.4% on a like-for-like basis due to the significant fall in visitation at Alton Towers following the accident on 2 June.
There was a continued strong contribution from New Business Development, with the opening of seven new Midway attractions and the addition of 277 new rooms across the theme park estate, driving total revenue growth at constant currency of 3.9%.
CEO Nick Varney said, “Despite a challenging year, the business delivered a robust performance in 2015. We continued to see a strong trading performance in Legoland Parks and a positive contribution from New Business Development, opening seven new Midway attractions and expanding our accommodation offering with the addition of 277 new rooms.
“However, 2015 was a difficult year for Merlin following the accident at Alton Towers early in the summer season. The safety of our guests and employees must always come first and we have sought to learn every possible lesson to help ensure there is no repeat of what happened on 2 June.
“Merlin has a clear strategy, with clear competitive advantages leaving us well positioned in a dynamic marketplace. Today we have announced our New Business Development milestone targets for 2020 including 2,000 new rooms, forty new Midway Attractions and four new LEGOLAND parks.
'Whilst we remain mindful of macro-economic and geo-political factors outside of our control, we remain confident in the strength of the underlying business and the natural diversification that the growing portfolio creates.”