30 SPECIAL FEATURE
30 SPECIAL FEATURE ADVERTORIAL FAMILY DESTINATIONS & AMUSEMENT PARKS BUSCH GARDENS PUTS A SPIN ON FAMILY THRILLS Busch Gardens Tampa puts a spin on family thrills in 2016 with a new ride – Cobra’s Curse. This spin coaster is the only one of its kind in the world, featuring a vertical lift and a new and different spin with each ride. Each train spins randomly, with frequency and direction determined by the rider weight distribution. New shark area with Mako, SeaWorld, Orlando Weightless on a Hypercoaster Orlando’s tallest, fastest and longest roller coaster This summer, a 200-foot-tall hypercoaster at SeaWorld Orlando will reach 73 mph (117.5 km) along 4760 feet (1.45 km) of steel track — and leave riders feeling not only breathless but weightless. Named for one of the ocean’s fastest known sharks, Mako will be Orlando’s tallest, fastest and longest roller coaster. “On Mako, you’ll experience what it’s like to be this apex predator, surging through the water at top speed and chasing prey throughout a massive reef,” said Brian Morrow, SeaWorld’s attraction creative director. feeling of weightlessness or “air time”. As the sleek coaster cars crest each hill, riders float, nearly weightless. SeaWorld’s hypercoaster will be the centerpiece of a twoacre realm themed around sharks: including Mako, Shark Encounter, Sharks and why these animals are critical to the environment. “It’s this blend of education and thrills, immersing guests in an underwater world, that sets a SeaWorld ride apart from others,” added Morrow. Mako uses a unique sound THE NEW COASTER IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S FEW TRUE HYPERCOASTERS, ROLLER COASTERS KNOWN FOR HIGH SPEEDS AND STEEP DROPS THAT CREATE A FEELING OF WEIGHTLESSNESS OR “AIR TIME”. Located in the Egypt area of the park, explorers will come face-to-face with an 80-foot snake icon, trek over the park’s Serengeti Plain and discover the mysteries of an Egyptian archeological excavation. “This isn’t your ordinary spin coaster. In true Busch Gardens style, we’re putting a twist on this attraction and taking riders on an unforgettable and exciting journey,” said Busch Gardens Park President Jim Dean. A unique move on Cobra’s Curse is the “outward-banked turn” that brings riders closer than they want to be to the jaws of the 80-foot-tall statue of the monstrous snake king. Instead of a gradual lift hill, typical of a traditional coaster, each train is instead lifted vertically, to a height of 70 feet, and the top of the ancient temple. “The addition of a family spin coaster complements the selection of thrill rides Busch Gardens offers, and we know it’s an attraction that guests from across the globe will enjoy,” Dean added. “We know Cobra’s Curse will even further solidify Busch Gardens as Florida’s Thrill Leader.” Hall 2.1 / Stand 480 Cobra’s Curse, Busch Gardens Tampa Mako’s tight turns and speed are inspired by Mako sharks (“blue pointers”) — known for their top speed, extreme jumps and the ability to quickly change course in pursuit of their prey. The new coaster is one of the world’s few true hypercoasters, roller coasters known for high speeds and steep drops that create a Underwater Grill, themed gift shops, shark and shipwreck theming and educational experiences. The entire realm is created to make guests feel they’re underwater, part of the group of sharks and toothy animals that have taken over a shipwrecked reef. Guests can learn about the impact humans are having on sharks system to enhance the experience, and not just for those on the ride. Custom surround effects and musical scores fill the realm, changing as the coaster dives through the area. SeaWorld Orlando now has five thrill rides: three distinctly different coasters, plus two family coasters. Hall 2.1 / Stand 480 ITB BERLIN NEWS • Friday 11 th March 2016 www.itb-berlin-news.com
AMERICAS REGION 31 Americas’ Destinations Stimulated by Strong US Dollar North America outbound to the rest of the world boosted - particularly to Latin America and the Caribbean MAIN TRAVEL DESTINATION International tourist arrivals to the Americas progressed by 5% in 2015 compared to 2014. Although the growth is still higher by one per cent point of the world average (4%), 2015 results marked a deceleration compared to 2014 when growth to the Americas topped 8.4%. The sagging rate in growth is due partially to the strengthening of the US dollar compared to a basket of major currencies. From January 5, 2015 to January 5, 2016, the Trade Weighted U.S. Dollar Index against major other currencies advanced from 86.25 to 95.15. During the first quarter of 2015, Citibank even found that America’s greenback had enjoyed its fastest rise in 40 years, according to Citibank, up by 14%. The increase affected tourist arrivals from traditional inbound markets to the United States such as Europe with the Euro value down by 20% to the dollar compared to a year earlier. The US dollar strengthened also by 10% to the Yen, by 12% to the Canadian THE AMERICAS dollar, by 15% to the Mexican Peso or by 40% to the Brazilian Real. As a typical example, total arrivals to Canada from main inbound markets were up by 7.4% between January and November according to data from Destination Canada. Canada’s tourism dynamics were influenced by the rise of US arrivals, up by 8%. Once more, the favourable exchange between the Canadian dollar and the US dollar had a positive effect The Americas however still managed to welcome some 9 million more international arrivals in 2015 reaching a total of 191 million international tourists, representing 16% of the world’s total. By subregion, the Caribbean and Central America recorded the best results with tourist arrivals up for both regions by over 7%. In the Caribbean, the historical normalization of relations between the USA and Cuba translated already by a tremendous jump in total arrivals to the Caribbean Island. Cuba’s total arrivals last year reached 3.1 million international visitors, a growth of 17.5% over the previous year. “I can predict that Cuba just stay at the beginning of a continuous upwards trend”, predicts UNWTO Secretary- General Taleb Rifai. Central America’s strong performance was due to a major increase in total US arrivals combined with dynamic marketing campaigns and a development of air routes. Costa Rica’s total tourist arrivals were up by 9% to 2.66 million international tourists, while Panama saw both arrivals and revenues from foreign visitors growing respectively by 6.9% to 7.1 million and by 13.5% to 4.19 billion dollars. Brazil, hosting in 2016 of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro is due to attract 500,000 to 600,000 tourists during the two-week event. However, the outbreak of the Zika virus could have a slight dampening effect on total arrivals. Tourist Arrivals Growth in 2015 (mil) 2015/2014 (%) Americas 190.7 4.9 North America 126.2 4.4 Caribbean 23.8 7.4 Central America 10.3 7.1 South America 30.3 4.3 (Source: UNWTO) AMERICAS ANTIGUA & BARBUDA HALL 3.1 / 143 ARGENTINA HALL 1.1 / 208 HALL 3.1 / 202 ARUBA HALL 3.1 / 134 BAHAMAS HALL 3.1 / 141 BARBADOS HALL 3.1 / 140 BONAIRE HALL 3.1 / 121 BRAZIL HALL 1.1 / 211 - HALL 3.1 / 209A BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS HALL 3.1 / 139 CANADA HALL 2.1 / 491 CHILE HALL 1.1 / 201 COLOMBIA HALL 1.1 / 107, 107B COSTA RICA HALL 3.1 / 236, 236B CUBA HALL 3.1 / 223 CURAÇAO HALL 3.1 / 135 DOMINICA HALL 3.1 / 137 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC HALL 3.1 / 131 ECUADOR HALL 1.1 / 110 EL SALVADOR HALL 3.1 / 231 GUADELOUPE ISLANDS HALL 3.1 / 136 GUATEMALA HALL 3.1 / 232 HAITI HALL 3.1 / 240 HONDURAS HALL 3.1 / 235 MARTINIQUE HALL 3.1 / 144 MEXICO HALL 1.1 / 101 NICARAGUA HALL 3.1 / 237 PANAMA HALL 3.1 / 229 PARAGUAY HALL 1.1 / 114 PERU HALL 1.1 / 102 PUERTO RICO HALL 2.1 / 316 SAINT LUCIA HALL 3.1 / 122 SURINAME HALL 3.1 / 123 TRINIDAD & TOBAGO HALL 3.1 / 128 URUGUAY HALL 1.1 / 210 USA HALL 2.1 / 480 VENEZUELA HALL 1.1 / 111 ITB BERLIN NEWS • Friday 11 th March 2016
