Ardent Leisure expects loss on theme parks

Ardent Leisure says visitor numbers and revenues were down at its theme parks in March and April and expects the division to report an annual loss.

Ardent Leisure expects its theme parks will report a loss for the full financial year. (AAP)

Ardent Leisure expects a loss from its theme parks this financial year after visitor numbers and revenue continued to fall following the fatal Dreamworld accident and Cyclone Debbie.

Ardent, which operates Dreamworld and WhiteWater World on the Gold Coast, said on Tuesday that performance so far this year indicates negative earnings for its theme park division.

It expects the unit's earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation for the year to June 30 to be negative by between $2 million to $4 million.

The company said combined visitor numbers for March and April were down 36.7 per cent, and revenue was 38.9 per cent lower at $9.6 million, partly reflecting the impact of heavy rainfall and Cyclone Debbie in March and consequent tourist cancellations in April.

"As reported in the third-quarter trading update, the Gold Coast experienced a significant increase in total rainfall during the month of March, particularly on weekend days," Ardent said in a statement.

"Further, visitation and revenue was negatively impacted during the Easter long weekend and broader school holiday trading period in April as a number of customers either cancelled or deferred travel plans to the region on the back of flooding and damage caused by the east coast cyclone that impacted the region in late March."

Ardent said it is continuing efforts to boost visitor numbers and revenue at its theme parks, including offering discounted ticket prices at Dreamworld.

Shares in Ardent Leisure were six cents, or 2.84 per cent, lower at $2.05 at 1315 AEST.

Ardent Leisure's theme parks have been struggling since four people died in a ride accident at Dreamworld in October 2016.

In April, Ardent Leisure announced that chief executive Deborah Thomas will step down from the top post and will become chief customer officer and chief operating officer for Australasia on July 1, overseeing the revitalisation of the theme parks and Ardent's AMF bowling centres.