IAAPA Writes to US Congressional Leadership on Behalf of Attractions Industry

The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), headquartered in Orlando (FL), sent an official letter to leading policy makers of the United States Congress, appealing to support companies within the US leisure and attractions sector with several financial aid packages. IAAPA’s U.S. members employ over 700,000 people in over 5,450 businesses with an annual economic impact of 51.6 billion US Dollar (approx. 47.5 billion Euro), as stated by the association. The organization estimates industry revenue is down about 80 percent, which poses a threat to the continued existence of many companies and endangers a correspondingly high number of jobs. Here you can read the letter in its full length.

While zoos and museums in the US are partly allowed to welcome guests again, there are other regulations applying for theme parks, water parks and other types of leisure attractions, depending on the respective US state. All park sites of the conglomerates Disney, Universal and SeaWorld still remain closed, no official reopening dates have been communicated yet. The Lake Compounce theme and water park located in New England plans to welcome visitors again as of summer this year, Kokomo Beach water park in Indiana announced 14 June as its reopening date. For an opening in mid-June also hopes California’s Wild Water Adventure Park; the Hersheypark in Pennsylvania is scheduling the start into this year’s season for early June (cf. EAP News of 13 May 2020). (eap)