Merlin Entertainments’ First Step into the Australian and New Zealand Markets

The deal for Merlin’s acquisition of six attractions belonging to the Village Roadshow was completed at the beginning of March. Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Wildlife World, the Sydney Tower Observatory and Skywalk as well as Manly Oceanworld, Sydney, the Hamilton Island Wildlife Park in Queensland and Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World in Auckland, New Zealand are now operated by Merlin and are committed to a multi-million dollar investment program. Furthermore, the group plans the development of a Madame Tussauds attraction scheduled to open in Sydney in 2012. Edward Fuller (photo), previously General Manager of Madame Tussauds in London, has been appointed Divisional Director to manage the new Australia / New Zealand division. (eap)