Merlin Sells Science Based Attraction „Earth Explorer“

At the end of last week, the company Blueprint Entertainment and global operator group Merlin Entertainments signed a sale and purchase agreement for the management company of Ostend, Belgium’s visitor attraction “Earth Explorer”. The attraction, which is currently closed, is said to be reopened on completion of the deal which is expected to be in the next four to six weeks. The name Blueprint Entertainment showed up during the last weeks particularly in connection with the take-over of Cologne’s Odysseum science center (cf. EAP news from 06 June 2013, read more about this in our upcoming print issue, EAP 4/2013). “With the acquisition of Earth Explorer we have implemented another step in our expansion strategy,” said Andreas Waschk, chairman of Blueprint Entertainment, “and we are delighted to be able to ensure that such an exciting attraction will be maintained in the future.” Glenn Earlam, Merlin Entertainments Managing Director Midway Attractions, comments: “Earth Explorer has been part of Merlin’s global portfolio since 2004, however since then our business has developed significantly. The company is now Europe’s No 1 visitor attraction operator with almost 100 attractions in 22 countries, and the main focus of our growth strategy is the global roll-out of our primary ‘midway’ brands – SEA Life aquariums; Madame Tussauds celebrity wax attractions; Legoland Discovery Centres and the ‘Eye’ observation attractions. We therefore felt that a different operator may be better able to give Earth Explorer the kind of focus required to optimise the future development of a science based attraction …” The new owners plan to join forces with Merlin in the future in terms of marketing opportunities for Earth Explorer and the nearby SEA Life aquarium in Blankenberge. (eap)