Ardent park revenue drops after reopenings

Ardent says revenue at the reopened Dreamworld and Whitewater World in three weeks to December 31 was $3.66 million, down 63 per cent on a year earlier.

Signage is seen outside  the Dreamworld Theme Park on the Gold Coast, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016. Four adults, two men and two women, died yesterday when the park's Thunder River Rapids ride malfunctioned on Tuesday. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt) NO ARCHIVING

The Dreamworld Theme Park on the Gold Coast. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt) NO ARCHIVING Source: AAP

Dreamworld operator Ardent Leisure says revenue at its reopened Gold Coast theme parks was down 63 per cent on the same period a year ago following the October ride accident that killed four people.

Ardent said on Friday that revenue at Dreamworld and Whitewater World was just $3.66 million for the three weeks to December 31, compared to $9.89 million for the prior corresponding period.

The company's shares dropped about four per cent at the start of trade following the announcement.

Ardent said in a statement that the gradual reopening of Dreamworld's thrill rides was to blame for lower attendance and revenue, adding that overall guest sentiment had been very positive.

"Whitewater World opened in its entirety, however the progressive reopening of Dreamworld's thrill rides throughout the remainder of the month negatively impacted attendance and revenues," the company said.

The theme parks reopened on December 10, six weeks after Kate Goodchild, Luke Dorsett, Roozi Araghi and Cindy Low were killed when Dreamworld's Thunder River Rapids Ride malfunctioned.

Ardent shares closed 1.0 cent, or 0.45 per cent, lower at $2.23 - down about 17 per cent since the October 25 accident.


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Source: AAP


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Ardent park revenue drops after reopenings | SBS News