UK-based Merlin Entertainments, which owns brands such as Madame Tussauds, Legoland and Sea Life, has expressed an interest in buying Busch Gardens, one of the entertainment arms of Sea World Parkks & Entertainment.

The statement came from the company’s chief financial officer, Anne-Francoise Nesmes, after releasing the holding’s first-half balance sheet. She does not rule out, for example, a frank conversation with partners to see if any negotiation moves forward.

“It takes two parts to make a deal, so we do not know what Sea World’s intentions are. But we believe their assets [Busch Gardens] are interesting and we certainly could do a lot with them, particularly in accommodation, “said the executive.

It is no longer today that Sea World reports negative results. Since the exposure of the documentary Blackfish, 2013, the brand has lost millions in revenue and public since. In the first quarter of this year, the group’s total revenue was $ 186.4 million – at the same time last year, the value was $ 220.2 million.

On the other hand, Merlin Entertainments’ figures point to frank growth around the world. In relation to the public, the increase was of 6.2% or 29.7 million in the period from January 1 to July 1. The group’s revenue grew double digit, reaching 685 million euros in the period.

There are two Busch Gardens in operation in the United States, being that of Tampa Bay, Florida, and that of Williamsburg, Virginia.

Photo: Reproduction

Source: Panrotas