By Greg Van Gompel

Related: Waterparks: Security in changing rooms – How vulnerable is your facility? / Happy Eating at Dutch Amusement Parks  /  Amusement Rides: Operator of Extreme World SCAD charged with felony

If you think you have some trouble with customer issues at your facility currently, what would you do if you had to operate under the interesting regulations that operators in Taiwan must face?  Taiwan’s Consumers’ Protection Commission reported at a recent news conference* that 3 out of 9 parks it probed did not offer refunds for thrill rides or attractions unavailable due to maintenance even thought they are bound to do so under Taiwanese regulations. 

The failure to refund consumers violates the standard form service contracts of amusement park, which all include a clause requiring amusement parks with unavailable facilities to return part of the admission fees to the consumer.  The amount refunded depends on the ratio or the length of time of services affected by such unavailability. Compensations must be in cash unless the customers agree to take merchandise, coupon or service in equal value.

What are some innovative ways Taiwanese parks use to refund the customers?  One park offers a free on-ride photo for two people who enter the park while another park offers its guests food vouchers to reimburse guests for the inconvenience of missing some of their favorite rides.  While such refunds are not required in other countries, maybe parks could use the premise as a way of creating more goodwill with your guests.

Taiwan consumer regulations also require parks to allow outside food on their premises and 5 of the 9 parks probed were found in violation of this regulation.  You’d be happy to know, however, that all 9 parks passed the architectural safety inspections and fire safety inspections after some minor improvements.

• Source: Taipei Times
 

Related:  EuroDisney’s Strategy to 2030: Doubling Capacity and Eco Tourism / Genting Singapore Plc's Integrated Resorts-from Drawing Board to Reality  / OLC's 2013 Strategic Plan: Bringing Happiness

CDA operates 21 leisure parks (including Parc Astérix, Grévin, and Walibi) in six European countries: France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and the U.K. attracting 23 million visitors in 2009.  Performances of various parks varied according to the business segment. Tourist sites, such as the Musée Grévin, the aquariums, and the dolphinariums, showed growth compared to 2009, with Musée Grévin having the strongest performance (sales up 9%).

The Group has been undergoing ambitious refinancing involving renegotiation of debt, increases in equity and a bond issue.  Franck Silvent, Deputy Managing Director, when asked in September whether there would be more investment to accelerate growth said, “Perhaps not more across the board, but better and, above all, at the right time. The Group's commitment to organic growth calls for an investment policy that is more selective yet extremely ambitious, focused on specific projects that fit the proven economic model and show potential for robust and measurable value creation: developing the Walibi brand, taking Grévin abroad, and establishing facilities and attractions with high added commercial value in leisure parks and ski areas. CDA also intends to consider any acquisition opportunities that might appear in its two operating segments, in a market known for reasonable asset prices.”

CDA looks set to continue to pursue this investment policy in 2011, particularly through the relaunch of the Walibi brand in five leisure parks and finalized agreements that will allow it to consolidate Futuroscope.  Sindibad by Walibi in Casablanca is set to open in 2013 under a 20 year licencing agreement.  This project epitomises the Group’s strategy for future developments – deriving enhanced value from intangible assets whilst optimising its capital structure. 

By Mira Cohen.

Related:  Developing Uniquely 21st Century Museum Experiences  /  Bridging the History/Art Divide: The Multi-Disciplinary Museum of the Future  /  Museums: What do Kids Want?

When I stretch my imagination, I can conjure up images of 18th century New Englanders engaging in serious conversations regarding the governing of their newly formed colonies.  In my mind, these good people are wearing wigs and tights.  While their ideas and practices form the basis of our country, they are firmly placed in a very different time period which is simultaneously quaint and terrifyingly dangerous.

In each of these cases, there is a sense of both expertise and participation – an informed citizenry at work, coming together to discuss issues and make important decisions in a place of honor and respect.

This sentiment might be echoed in the opening and displaying of historic town halls across America from states from Florida to New Jersey.  These spaces are preserved, in tact, often by historical societies across the nation. 

But lately, I hear the term “town hall” used to describe all sorts of experiences that are worth examining.

In my quest to determine the contemporary meaning behind the term “town hall”, I discovered a cluttered field of operations ranging from political websites, restaurants and bars, speakers bureaus, advocacy groups and a community cultural center. 

Townhall.com whose moniker states “where your opinion counts” reveals an interesting take on the term.  The only thing is, I didn’t get the sense my opinion really counted for much.  I got to read about a lot of other people’s opinions.  I learned interesting news.  Bruce Bialosky explained why the upcoming election will determine whether or not we “return to serfdom.”  I also learned about the two dozen doughnuts Obama’s campaign team picked up.

I learned a bit about the Town Hall Coalition which is described on its website as “a grassroots social movement of citizens from all walks of life who have come together to advocate for the protection of public health and safety, the environment, and the common good.”  OK. Who gets to determine the common good in this situation?

Sometimes the term “town hall” seems to be used for speakers’ bureaus.  Opportunities are provided, for a fee, to hear experts discuss issues among themselves.

Interestingly, the most enticing play on the term "town hall" came in the form of the website for the Townhall Brewery in Minneapolis which is worth checking out.  I’ve never been there but now that I’ve seen their website, I’d like to.  The mix of sound, themed graphics, events, and menus make it feel like a great place to be.

So, what does all this have to have to do with museums?  Can museums be the town halls of the 21st century and do we want them to be?  If so, what really is the essence of the contemporary town hall and why do so many different types of people want to lay claim to it?

In trying to answer my own question, I ended up with more additional questions than answers.

• Do you have to get together in person to have a town hall?
• Do you engage in debate? Do you want to?
• Do you make decisions?
• What about the informed part – how do you get informed?
• Do you have to walk in the “door” informed or can you get informed while visiting?
• Who informs you? Does it matter?

There is clearly something critical about the term as part of the American cultural lineage and common comfort ground.  As such, I’ll bet that the answers to many of the questions above help determine the kind of museum experience visitors will have – regardless of the collection and specific content of the museum. 

Related :  Euro Attractions Show (EAS) to Take Place in London in 2011  /  Get a Health Check of your Insurance at EAS 2010 Rome with Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group Limited (JLT)   / Meet Polin Waterparks at EAS & WWA, 2010!  / 5Di, the European Premiere! with Alterface  / Meanwhile, back in July: IAAPA's Asian Expo

The venue, Fiera Roma, is thoroughly modern, not unattractive, but as with all these custom built out of town sites, vast and a little soulless.  The EAS  website rather optimistically stated that the convention centre was “20 minutes from Rome City Centre. (It) can easily be reached by car or train”.  By Ferrari perhaps, but for  those taking the train from the centre of town, this was far from true, the trip (with a fair wind) was over an hour each way and some poor exhibitors took 2 hours.  Hannibal reached the gates of Rome more quickly and he had elephants.

Attendees were thus faced with the sticky choice of staying out by the Fiero Roma, in drab surroundings with little to do in the evening,  yet close to the show, or taking rooms in Rome itself which offered  the glittering nightlife and breathtaking architecture of one of the world’s great cities but quite a trek in the morning.  We stayed at a hotel by the Termini station, adjacent to a “Streep tease”  -nothing to do with the actress - and opposite an adult movie theatre.  The hotel’s website boasted (and bullet pointed ) its amenities as being  a) a reception and b) a lift.

The  trade show was buzzing, with two halls packed with attendees from over 100 countries, around a third from Italy itself.  265 exhibitors had  booths, a 10%increase on last year’s Amsterdam show.  Products that caught my eye included the Nemo submarine by Felsen , a transparent climbing wall , EyeClick’s interactive floors and the new 5D interactive cinema from Alterface.  Bumped into my local park owner, Rick Turner, of  The Big Sheep in North Devon, dropping in on his way home after a week’s cycling in the Apennines.  Electrosonic’s  Alan Wilkinson and Chris Conte had also made it to Rome. Talked insects with Martin Rafferty, the Irish CEO of RGI leisure, which owns and operates Liverpool’s Bug World; a brand  which is one to watch and might, as they say, have legs.  David Schofield,  Liseberg’s British Creative Director was visiting too,  he  commutes between Sweden and his studio in Blackburn, Lancashire, where I am reliably informed they still have 4,000 holes. 

Staying in the city it transpired , had been the right choice, with exhibitors based  near the Fiera Roma talking of nothing to do and those in the centre having a whale of a time.  Heard a story involving Stefan Holtman and  Peter van Bilsen from Vekoma Rides Manufacturing BV and a large fish on a roof top restaurant.  It’s worth asking them.

On the Wednesday  night  I was a guest of BRC Imagination Arts, the museum and theme park designers, who kindly took a group of us to a gorgeous restaurant where we were treated to a 3 course truffle -based  dinner, washed down with copious amounts of Chianti. Our hosts were represented by the UK’s Donna Davidson, Director Project development;  Greg Lombardo, Director of Brand Experiences and based in China ; Bart Dohmen, BRC’s European MD and the organiser of the evening and  Brad Shelton, Director, Entertainment Experiences.  Our table was a Scandinavian/ British mix, with a solitary Dutchman, BRC’s Jeroen Holman.  It included a group of Swedish theme park investors, Martin Barratt, CEO of The British Association of Leisure Parks,Piers and Attractions (BALPPA),  Leisure Development Partners'  Yael Coifman , Vision XS’ Lesley Morisetti and journalist Owen Ralph.  Martin and Yael, in an act of solidarity with the Chilean miners, had spent part of the afternoon trapped in their hotel lift.  (Though light hearted about the ordeal, I imagine they’ll shortly be involved in a petty dispute about film rights) .  It occurred to us as we fine-dined that the trade show lanyards that many of us wore had been sponsored by JRA, another leading museum and theme park design firm.  We tucked them in - an indelicate moment, like drinking  Pepsi  at a Coke convention.

Christer Persson, of Eksploria Edutainment, sitting by my side, explained that he had a slight allergy to truffles.  Owen and I, brought up in gritty Lancashire mill towns, where truffles didn't  form a large part of our diet,  had not had the opportunity to develop such an affliction.  The meal was extraordinary, heaven on a plate and as we later left the quaint family restaurant, the owner, with his finger firmly on the pulse, reminded us to give his fine establishment  5 stars on Trip Advisor.

So, a successful and record breaking show, a taste of La Dolce Vita and a lot of red wine.  Now over to Harry Potter and Orlando…

Images from top: 1. Rome at night  2. Hannibal, who is currently believed to be somewhere between platforms 25 and 27 of the Stazione di Roma Termini, cursng whilst trying to read an Italian phrase book and working out how to get to Brindisi. 3. A rainbow trout.

Related: 2010 EuroDisney’s Strategy to 2030: Doubling Capacity and Eco Tourism / 2010 Genting Singapore Plc's Integrated Resorts-from Drawing Board to Reality / OLC's 2013 Strategic Plan: Bringing Happiness

The Ypartnership/Harrison Group  2010 Portrait of American Travelers*  surveyed the travel behaviour of Americans with an annual household income of more than $50,000. 

Effect of the Great Recession
The first piece of good news is that most of those surveyed are optimistic despite the current poor economic conditions:
•    78% say they are actually happier now than ten years ago
•    71% out of ten are very/extremely optimistic about the future of their children and 70% about their own future
•    58% are very/extremely optimistic about the future of the company they work for with 55% very/extremely optimistic about the future of their job

However, they are keen to get value for money:
•    one third wait for products and services to go on sale before they buy
•    31% took a “last minute” trip last year, departing an average of just six days after deciding to take the trip

The Family
Ageing baby boomers are driving multigenerational holidays:
•    One third of the households included children yet 44% took at least one “family travel” trip indicating a growth in multi-generational vacations
•    20% of travellers are grandparents, and 67% of those who have reached this life stage took at least one vacation with their grandchildren last year
•    69% took a vacation to celebrate a life event last year, with milestone birthdays and anniversaries topping the list
•    Children play an active role in planning vacations in 48% of all family travel households
•    Staycations are still in vogue - Family travellers are more likely to have taken a vacation less than 50 miles from home

The Internet
Internet use is comprehensive:
•    90% have a page posted on Facebook  and 23% have visited a blog to seek or preview information about vacations
•    All have access to the Internet at home, and the vast majority go online to get information about travel suppliers (89%) and make reservations (87%)

Vacation Destination/Duration
Theme park vacations are popular:
•    26% took a theme park vacation, 9% visited an all-inclusive resort but beach/lake destinations were most popular selected by 33%
•    The most interesting destinations include Hawaii (73%), the national parks (71%), Honolulu (69%) and Orlando (59%)

There is encouragement for those theme park brands extending their market into real estate:
•    24% has stayed in a vacation home or condominium rental as an alternative to conventional hotel/resort lodging on a vacation last year
•    14% is interested in purchasing a vacation home, with 7% interested in purchasing a timeshare

And finally, 32% of those surveyed are interested in taking a cruise vacation during the next two years.  Nothing surprising there for Disney who have successfully conquered the high seas with Disney Cruise Line, recognized for the first time as the No. 1 cruise experience at the Annual Readers’ Choice Awards for Condé Nast Traveler magazine last week.  Disney are looking to more than double their capacity with two new ships currently under construction due for delivery in 2011/12 and new routes planned along the Pacific Coast. 

*Source: Ypartnership/Harrison Group 2010 Portrait of American Travelers as reported in Travel Daily News

Related:   Asian Expo 2010 : A View from a Bridge  /   Interview with Tom Mehrmann, CEO, Ocean Park Corporation  /  Singapore -The Lion City roars in 2010  /  Genting Singapore Plc's Integrated Resorts-from Drawing Board to Reality  /  OLC's 2013 Strategic Plan: Bringing Happiness  / IAAPA’s Asian Attractions Expo 2010 Sets Attendance and Exhibit Records in Kuala Lumpur

It was also the first I had attended and I was pleased it was in KL, the City being a central and readily accessible destination and boasting a convention centre with superb state-of-the-art facilities (with the exception of stone–age Wi-Fi). A few  notes from the show:

Day 1

Making a schoolboy  error, I flew out with a low cost budget airline. Quickly realised this was a false economy ; the seats were cramped, the food grotty and the attendants curt and brusque (their manners, not their names). No TV for 13 hours.

Day 2

A day to spare before the show. Went to the KL Lake gardens, a 92 hectare park, based around an artificial lake and home to a variety of small attractions.  Saw the KL Bird Park, the KL Butterfly Park and the Orchid and Hibiscus gardens.

The Bird Park, which boasts the world’s largest free flight walk in aviary, is an impressive affair, effectively a huge bird cage. The egrets have the run of the place, the birds of prey, as ever (and of course, understandably), draw a much shorter straw.  I commiserated with a bank of owls staring balefully out of their rather cramped, dark enclosures. There is free Wi-Fi in the bird park (KL convention centre, IAAPA, please take note). I resisted the temptation to Tweet.

Wednesday , 1st day of show.

The show, which was sponsored by Jack Rouse Associates, Arihant and Kraftwerk , began at 9:15 am with the pomp and ceremony of the VIP Ribbon cutting. We had a (very) detailed flyer in our exhibitor’s welcome pack, the whole 30 minute exercise having been planned with military precision. At 9:58 am, it explained, “VIPs move from stage to stand behind ribbon. Mr Cleary and Dato r. Wee hold large scissors. Others hold small scissors.”

Got to my booth, which was empty, save for a table and chair and a note on the table to confirm that both had been thoroughly inspected. Have yet to see a booth inspector. I imagine they operate at night and with a sprinkle of magic dust, like the tooth fairy. Maybe at the next show I should leave a small saucer of milk and a cookie.

Companies exhibiting included (waterparks) Polin, Whitewater West , SCS Interactive and  Empex watertoys : (rides) Westech , Vekoma, Pax, S & S Worldwide and Interlink: (play equipment) Eibe, Park Games, Comfy : and (Technology) Attractions Audio Visual, LCI, Lo-Q, Emotion Media factory, Semnox, N-Wave, 3DBA and Alterface.

Straight after the show there was an Opening reception, held at Aquaria, KL’s world class aquarium, conveniently in the same building as the show. I chatted with Alan Schauder and AALARA’s Kim Hackwood, two of the many Australians in attendance.

Later in the evening it was the Young Professionals Reception, which as the show program confirms is exclusively for young professionals, “the industry’s future leaders”. The Oxford Dictionary of English defines a “Bright young thing” as "an enthusiastic, ambitious, and self-consciously fashionable young person" and during a fun evening I was struck by what a youthful industry this is, with many bright young things in attendance such as Primeplay’s Steve Howey, IAAPA’s Randy Davis, myself, Omniticket’s John Davies,  Elton Games’ Tony Whittaker and Mauhrer’s Horst Rhue.

Thursday, 2nd day of show

After the show, there was an IAAPA party held at the Sunway Lagoon, one of Malaysia’s major theme parks. During the musical show – Malaysians dressed as Africans singing West Indian songs – Steve Love got  up to perform an impromptu rap, a fittingly bizarre episode in a wonderful evening. Then Darrell Metzger (former IAAPA Chairman) surfed past us on the crest of a wave (real not metaphorical) in the vast man made lagoon as we supped our beer and ate satay. He is you see, a child of California’s golden beaches and undoubtedly a seasoned performer. I wondered if Charlie Bray had arrived by parachute or Chip Cleary by cannon. You gotta hand it to ‘em, IAAPA give a good party.

The show, to judge by feedback from exhibitors, was superb. The location (“not Macao again, please!” I was told by a number of people), the venue itself and the number of attendees made for satisfied exhibitors. Singapore next year promises to be even better.

“Asia is a trendsetter," said Alterface’s Benoit Cornet, and Kevin Rohwer, of S and S Worldwide thought it “a well-organized event, with the  right customers/contacts walking the floor”.  Nicholas Bapst of Total immersion was also pleased: “We made a lot of great new contacts at the show and have projects starting over the next 2 to 3 months directly from leads from the show”.

On the flight home, I reflected on a superb show and was already looking forward to Singapore next summer. As I tried to sleep in an uncomfortable seat on an uncomfortable plane, I thought of John Davies, one of nature’s bon viveurs, who was doubtless at that very moment 500 feet above me with Singapore Airlines, reclining on a chaise longue, drinking wine and being handfed grapes by scantily clad hostesses…

Images from the top: 1. KL skyline at night. 2. KL Bird Park. 3.Triotech's booth. 4. Helmut Doerner of Emotion Media Factory. 5.John Hudd of Interlink does some business. 6. John Davies of Omniticket getting into his hire car.

Related:  Blooloop Facts / OLC's 2013 Strategic Plan: Bringing Happiness / Genting Singapore Plc's Integrated Resorts-from Drawing Board to Reality

Specific objectives to 2030:

1)Double theme park and hotel capacity:

• Perimeter extension from 1,943 to 2,230 hectares to allow for a potential third park (following the acquisition of Marvel by Disney, a superheroes theme is a strong contender)
• 8,200 existing hotel rooms to increase to 22,900

2)Enhance Val d’Europe with an additional:

• 9,000 housing unit rights (30 to 40% allocated to rental properties, and a range of prices (25% social housing and 15% controlled price access housing))
• 70,000 sq m retail entitlements

3)Development of Eco Tourism project:

• Les Villages Nature de Val d’Europe to be implemented in successive phases, the first targeted to open in 2015
• Up to 7,200 units and 70,0000 sq m facilities
• 50/50 joint venture between EuroDisney and Pierre & Vacances
• Preconstruction sale of tourism units to private investors as well as pre-construction sale of recreational facilities and infrastructures to institutional investors, rented back to the operating company
• Sustainable action plan based on the 10 key indicators from the “One Planet Living“ methodology including zero carbon and zero waste

4)Major improvements by the Public Parties in roadway access and public transportation networks to support the strategy

The Main Agreement, signed in 1987, created a Project of National Interest to develop a leading European tourist destination and an economic hub east of Paris.  To date, despite a disappointing financial performance, the Project has delivered just that:

• Disneyland Paris is Europe’s #1 tourist destination (215 million visits from ’92 to ’09)
• Val d’Europe is now a major economic hub with 28,000 inhabitants, 21,000 jobs and 11,000 housing units of which 6,000 were developed by EuroDisney 
• The French economy has benefited from added value of €3bn** and the generation of 56,000** jobs (1 job at Disneyland Paris generates a further 2.8 elsewhere in France). 

The current economic downturn has taken its toll on EuroDisney with reduced attendance, revenue and hotel occupancy reported in the first half of the year, and there remains the significant debt burden of €1.9bn as at 31 March 2010.  During the year to 30 September 2009 EuroDIsney made debt repayments of €86m, but offsetting this was a further €75m of deferred royalties, management fees, and accrued interest which was converted into loans.  [€50m of the deferral related to royalties and fees due to The Walt Disney Company, the maximum allowed for deferral in a year under the 2005 Restructuring agreement.  From 2010 to 2014 this limit is reduced to a €25m conditional deferral per annum.]  By comparison capital investment in the same period was €72m. 

Despite the difficult economic environment the Amendment reflects EuroDisney’s confidence that it can deliver on the further development; there are 300 million Europeans within 2 hours of the resort.  Details of phasing and funding are as yet unspecified but it is clear that outside investment is essential.  The French State estimates that the projects within the new perimeter could generate investment of around €8bn by tourist and urban developers, of which €1.8bn for Les Villages Nature de Val d’Europe is to be provided by individual and institutional investors.

Philippe Gas, C.E.O. of Euro Disney, says “We are committed to continue developing our tourist destination and supporting France’s tourism leadership, while addressing the challenges of sustainable development.”
 

UPDATE October 11th, 2010:

City A.M. reports that in an interview with The Sunday Telegraph Philippe Gas confirmed that EuroDisney intends to pay back 25% of its €1.9bn debt by 2013.  Although not currently paying a dividend, Gas says that the company is committed to rewarding shareholders and that there is enough cash to finance the debt repayment, refurbishments and expansion plans.  Shares fell 1 cent, or 0.2 percent, to 4.14 euros following the announcement.

* Euro Disney S.C.A.  is the parent company of Euro Disney Associés S.C.A, operator of Disneyland® Paris.  The Walt Disney Company holds a 40% stake and Prince al-Waleed, 10%.
**Direct, indirect and induced.  Source:  Euro Disney S.C.A.
 

Related: Theme Parks and Attractions: Lion City roars in 2010 /  OLC's 2013 Strategic Plan: Bringing Happiness

Singapore, the host of IAAPA’s 2011 Asian Expo, has a unique combination of a safe, clean environment, a highly educated workforce and a thriving high tech economy which look set to make it a hot spot in Asia for the attractions industry.  Following on from the article Lion City Roars in 2010, examining the reasons for Singapores record breaking visitor numbers, Blooloop looks at some facts and figures from Genting Singapore Plc showing the financial impact of the integrated resorts.

Genting Singapore Plc’s newly opened integrated resorts epitomise the key features of the rebranded Singapore, with a concentration of world class attractions, hotels and visitor experiences.  In 2010 the investment is starting to bear fruit. 

Q2 Results for Genting Singapore Plc

Resorts World Sentosa’s phased opening began in January 2010, just under 3 years after breaking ground, with its four hotels - Festive Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel Singapore, Hotel Michael and Crockfords Tower. In February 2010, the casino opened, followed a month later with the opening of Universal Studios Singapore and then Marina Bay Sands. 

Genting Singapore Plc reported strong results for the quarter ended 30 June 2010:

• Universal Studio Singapore increased its daily maximum capacity to around 8,000 with an average visitor spend of S$84.
• Resorts World Sentosa hotels’ occupancy was 70% with an average room rate of S$263.
• Singapore Integrated Resort (Singapore IR)recorded revenue of S$860.8 million and EBITDA of S$503.5 million for the second quarter of 2010 with EBITDA margin standing at 58%.
• Genting Singapore Plc’s total revenue for the period was S$979.3 million and EBITDA was S$513.9 million.  Singapore IR therefore delivers 88% of the Group’s revenue and 98% of the EBITDA.  [NB Genting Singapore is looking to sell its UK Casino operations (to Genting Worldwide (UK) Limited) to be able to focus on its Singapore developments.]
• During the six month period to 30 June 2010, Resorts World at Sentosa Pte Ltd (“RWSPL“) drew down the remaining S$900 million from its syndicated loan facility to finance its construction and development of the integrated resort bringing total drawdown to S$4.0 billion as at 30 June 2010.
• RWSPL spent a total of S$826 million for construction work-in-progress and other property, plant and equipment during the six months to 30 June 2010.  (As at 31 December 2009, RWSPL’s investment in the integrated resort stood at S$6.59bn.)

RWSPL has commenced construction of the West Zone, which comprises the Maritime Xperiential Museum - featuring one of the world's largest aquaria, the Marine Life Park, a destination spa and luxurious accommodation at its Equarius Hotel and Spa Villas.  The West Zone is expected to commence operations progressively from 2011 onwards.

Genting Singapore Plc’s Chairman, Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay,  says, “We have taken our vision from drawing board to reality with the opening of Resorts World Sentosa... We will continue to grow and strengthen our position as the world's integrated resorts and gaming specialist”.
 

Images courtesy of Singapore Tourism Board

By David A. Price 

Over the years, local civic organizations have raised thousands of dollars to benefit a wide variety of local needs. What’s special about it for me is that it unfolds outside the second floor offices of David A. Price Architects, Inc. on the sports field of a middle school located across the street.

It starts Monday morning when workers begin to mark the fields for the location of rides and the overall layout of the carnival. On Tuesday trucks with rides and crates arrive and begin to park in designated areas. On Wednesday and Thursday through the day and into the evening the carnival begins to unfold in a chorography that has gone on for hundreds of years in similar ways in countless other places. The technology has changed but the magic is the same – transforming what was once familiar into an insubstantial architecture of striped awnings, flamboyance and colored lights. For centuries these creations have given delight to thousands.

At Tustin Tiller Days, the people and families begin to arrive on Friday in the late afternoon and continue in full force through the weekend until it closes late Sunday afternoon. When it’s over, the lights go out, and by daybreak Monday morning all that is left are patterns in the grass.

Writes Greg Van Gompel

Related:  Happy Eating at Dutch Amusement Parks  /  Operator of Extreme World SCAD charged with felony   /  Waterparks and Breast-feeding 

Part of the attendant’s job back in those days also included responsibility for renting out swimsuits to guests. Fast forward to today where facilities are trying to maximize revenues by effectively utilizing the facility’s labor.  Most changing area’s labor is designed for guest conveniences such as opening lockers and handing out change needed to feed the lockers rentals.  Most restrooms and changing area are devoid of park labor and rely on self-policing by the users of the facilities.  Advances in modern technology have made voyeuring in such facilities much easier than ever before.  Flip video cameras are a big as the palm of your hand and most cell phones have built-in cameras.  These devices can be easily hidden in plain, everyday items or secured to various attachments for overhead or wide-angle views.

A recent lawsuit filed against Idlewild Park and SoakZone highlights some areas in which facilities managers should be concerned.  Three women are suing Idlewild & SoakZone, claiming the amusement park was negligent when it allowed a 15-year-old maintenance employee to sneak into a changing room and secretly take photographs.  The lawsuits allege that park management failed to inspect locker rooms in the SoakZone water park area and failed to erect adequate screens between segregated changing areas.  The women also claim that Idlewild failed to supervise the juvenile employee and improperly allowed the teen into changing areas without adult supervision.

According to police records, on July 16, 2008, a teen employee attached a cellular telephone to the end of a broomstick and extended the handle over a wall in a family dressing area to record pictures and videos. The women were changing in the females-only locker room, while the teen was supposed to be cleaning the family dressing area, according to the suit.  According to the attorney for the women, the 3 noticed the device, got dressed and went outside to alert park security.  Township police investigated the incident and the teen was arrested and charged with a summary disorderly conduct offense.  The park subsequently fired the employee

The women said they suffered psychological trauma and shock as a result of their privacy being invaded. Their lawsuits claim they suffered pain, inconvenience, embarrassment and mental anxiety and they are seeking an unspecified amount in damages from the defendants, which include Idlewild; the former park employee, who is now 17; and his mother.

Now is a good time, during this off-season, to review your changing and bathroom security.  Do you utilize people or mechanical means to monitor these areas?  Do you provide adequate warnings to users if you do employ either video and/or audio surveillance of these facilities?  What is your protocol in sending employees into such area to clean or straighten the area?  A little time revisiting your protocol in these areas can get your upcoming season off to a “swimming” start.