SeaWorld Considers Opening a Resort
A branded resort could be a major revenue driver for SeaWorld. (AP Photo/Chris Park, File)
In the wake of news that the aquatic amusement park will be ending its famous killer whale performances, SeaWorld is now considering getting into the hotel business.
SeaWorld Entertainment has signed a letter of intent with Evans Hotels Group to explore the possibility of opening a branded resort.
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“Evans Hotels and SeaWorld Entertainment have been pioneers in helping to make Mission Bay the leisure and entertainment destination it is today,” said Evans Hotels president and CEO Robert Gleason in a statement to Travel Pulse. “This project is an exciting opportunity for our iconic brands to join together to create the ultimate resort experience.”
The move into the resort business is clearly a new way to boost revenue for the park that has come under intense fire from animal rights activists in the past few years.
“SeaWorld is looking at new ways to increase revenues, and hotels are a pretty safe bet assuming you don’t put an orca in a tank in the lobby,” said Martin Lewison, an assistant business professor at Farmingdale State College in New York who has advised amusement parks in the U.S. and Europe told the San Diego Union Tribune. “Hotels attached to theme parks generally do very well and you’ll find there’s a premium guests will pay for the perks.
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