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www.parkworld-online.comPark PeopleAre there enough talented young peoplecoming into the industry?I think you have some educated, energetic young kidsthat have the opportunity to look around theexhibitions and work in other parks worldwide. Mysons did this, they have been in America, Australia,Italy, Spain and Scandinavia. When I was young it wasmore difficult. So there are a lot of talented people,they do things differently to how we did them, but ifthey concentrate on the key issues – service and quality– then they can push the industry forwards.Do you expect much more industryconsolidation in Europe?Last year Plopsa bought Holiday Park, and in the middleof Germany Fort Fun was sold some years ago toCompagnie des Alpes. However I think the parks haveto be a certain size to be of interest to the bigcompanies. In Germany there is Phantasialand, Europa-Park, Hansa Park and Tripsdrill, where the family is veryheavily involved, so I do not see much happening soon.In Great Britain many of the big parks are alreadyowned by Merlin. There was the big deal a few yearsago with Walibi and Compagnie des Alpes, but recentlythey sold some of their smaller parks. Parques Reunidosis always talking about selling its business. So maybe,like in America with Six Flags, things will go backwardsand there will be a chance of former family businessesgoing back into family ownership.Speaking at Euro Attractions Show inLondon, Merlin Entertainments’ Nick Varneyremarked that European theme parks areunder priced (see page 42). Do you agree?He is right if he compares theme parks to other kindsof attractions, and it is true that we priceconservatively. We all need money to development ourbusinesses, however sometimes there is a gap betweenthis thinking and Merlin’s price strategy. If Merlin isselling annual passes [in Germany] that let you visit 15attractions for nearly a third of a Europa-Park annualpass, then maybe Nick should start with his ownprices! It was interesting to hear he wants to makeHeide Park the market leader, and I am happy to takeon this challenge, but I do not want to be the biggestpark in Germany by reducing prices.What park or attraction has most inspiredyou during your travels in the last year?I like very much Legoland’s idea to build a submarineride [at Legoland Windsor], not only because they used aMack Rides system, but because it is a new development.Disney was doing it years ago with animatronics, but nowit is done with real animals. I think that is reallyinteresting.The development of Chimelong in China is fascinating.They are doing almost 8 million visitors in Guangzhouwith a waterpark, animal park, ride park, hotels andconference centre. I was so impressed with the qualityand what they’ve done in such a short amount of time –and it’s done by a family. Now they are doing a resortpark with animals across from Macau [in Zhuhai]. I willbe very interested to see that when it’s finished.What can the attractions industry learn fromother industries?Maybe we could improve government relationsbecause every park needs infrastructure and you can’tdo infrastructure without lobbying the government. Ifyou look at the car industry in Germany, they aremuch better organised. Overall I think we do betterthan many other industries in combining our effortsthough, and 90% of the global players are membersof the association.“In Europe,the VAT is sodiverse. That’sa big, bigissue,especially ifyou arelocated nearthe border. Wecould reducethe priceadmission atEuropa-Parkby ¤5 if wehad the sameVAT asFrance”Roland Mack at Europa-Park with astatue of his late father FranzEuropa-Park plansWhat’s new at Europa-Park for the next 18 months?Already announced are plans for a major woodencoaster next spring courtesy of Great CoastersInternational. Then, in the summer, the Europa-ParkResort will launch its fifth hotel, the New England themedBell Rock (as pictured). “Maybe we will get anopportunity to use the hotel in some way for the IAAPAdirectors’ meeting in June,” says Roland Mack.The park’s managing director can also provide a hintof what’s in store for 2013:“We have startedconstruction of a newfairytale themed area in cooperationwith a big moviestar from France,” he tellsPark World. “This willfeature a completely newride development of theMack company.“www.europa-park.deNOVEMBER 201137