Duffey rules out Six Flags Orlando after declaring US market 'covered'
Six Flags CEO John Duffey has quashed rumours of a new theme park in Orlando after saying the US was “covered” in terms of reach at its existing parks, with the operator instead opting to focus on its continued international expansion.
Speaking during Six Flags’ Q3 earnings call, Duffey said there were no plans to construct any new parks in the US, which the company believes is already well serviced by its existing US portfolio.
“If you look at all of the markets they are really covered by existing parks,” he said. “As a matter of fact I think the last park we built in the US was Hard Rock Park on the East Coast, which was actually shut down. So we believe we have all of the markets covered.”
Rumours of a Six Flags property in the theme park capital have long been speculated – with an Orlando Business Journal report that a top US theme park operator was interested in developing a major project on 200 acres of land on International Drive adding fuel to the fire.
Six Flags has recently been focused on its overseas expansion, with properties to operate under a franchise model all breaking ground this year in the UAE, Vietnam and China.
“We don't see anyone really building brand-new theme parks in the US,” said Duffey. “That's why we believe that the growth opportunity of having this brand and being able to take that overseas is a significant growth driver for Six Flags.”
Six Flags has a particular focus on China, with Duffey recently revealing to Attractions Management plans to build “multiple” Six Flags parks in China in the next 10 years, all in partnership with the real-estate company Riverside Investment Group.
John Duffey Six Flags Orlando theme park UAE Vietnam China expansion visitor attractions'Adverse weather conditions' hit Six Flags with shock Q3 decline
Six Flags’ upswing shows no signs of abating, strengthened by global franchise deals
Six Flags adding two more Chinese properties to ever-expanding international portfolio
Six Flags using Pokémon Go to draw visitors with trainer guides
Dubai Parks and Resorts breaks ground on Middle East's first Six Flags theme park
Six Flags eyes further international expansion with Saudi Arabia plans
Six Flags announces US$500m share repurchase plan
Exclusive: Six Flags heads East with eye on further expansion, says CEO John Duffey
UAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Designing an eco hotel for the Galapagos Islands that allowed the stunning natural surroundings to take centre stage while minimising its impact on the land presented its own unique set of challenges, Ecuadorian architect Humberto Plaza tells Kathryn Hudson