Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Indian amusement park operators call for official permission to remain open during COVID surge

Indian amusement park operators call for official permission to remain open during COVID surge
January 13, 2022

Amid a surge in infections driven by the Omicron variant, the Indian Association of Amusement Parks and Industries (IAAPI) is calling on India’s state governments to give theme and amusement parks permission to remain open with strict COVID-19 safety measures.

Concerned about surge in COVID-19 cases but fearing the impact of ongoing closures on the industry, Rajeev Jalnapurkar, IAAPI Chairman and Director of Hyderabad’s Ramoji Film City, commented that a new round of closures would “be a fatal blow to the industry as huge investments and manpower planning had been undertaken to restart parks which were closed for over a year."

With lockdown-like restrictions returning once again in the wake of the Omicron-triggered third wave of COVID-19, IAAPI has suggested that parks introduce limited capacity and online reservations.

The Indian states of Maharashtra, West Bengal, Delhi and Haryana have imposed closure orders while Karnataka has clamped weekend curbs on the amusement park industry which include open-to-sky theme parks, water parks, adventure parks and some indoor centres.

Expressing concern over the developments and urging the Indian and state governments to reconsider, Jalnapurkar stated “(this) industry is (the) first to close and last to reopen.

“(The) amusement park industry was allowed to reopen from 22nd October 2021, after the second wave, and it has barely been two months of its reopening that it has been closed down again.” Jalnapurkar went on emphasise that entry to entertainment parks is highly-priced based on rides and attractions with online registration to avoid crowds at the entry gate, unlike attractions such as zoos, museums and forts which are either free or low priced and therefore the visitors to amusement parks are lesser in number and are better regulated.

He requested that state governments allow amusement parks and theme parks to operate on 50% capacity as allowed to indoor venues like malls, cinemas, restaurants, gyms and beauty salons for survival and employment retention.

He concluded that the industry had been adhering to all prescribed SOPs and guidelines issued by the Ministries of Home Affairs, Health and Tourism Department of the state and will continue to do so.

Image: Hyderabad’s Ramoji Film City, the world's largest movie-based attraction. Credit: Ramoji Film City.

Related Articles

8th January 2022 - Universal Beijing Resort looks to second phase expansion with five new hotels

23rd December 2021 - Happy Valley Group and SimEx-Iwerks partnership to deliver 4D theatres to Chinese theme parks

15th December 2021 - US$1 billion construction contract agreed for Six Flags Qiddiya theme park in Saudi Arabia

9th December 2021 - IAAPA to present Middle East Summit in Dubai in February

8th December 2020 - IAAPI urges India’s state governments to reopen amusement parks and release industry stimulus packages

15th November 2021 - Disney advises of revival of theme park earnings

12th November 2021 - USA dominates winners list at IAAPA’s 2021 Brass Ring Awards

24th September 2021 - Global attraction attendance report shows industry resilience in 2020 and the beginnings of recovery

16th September 2021 - UAE venues to allow fans for Indian Premier League fixtures

2nd June 2021 - Theme park tickets and airline rewards offered as incentives for vaccination uptake

24th March 2021 - Abu Dhabi’s Miral introduces facial recognition at Yas Island theme parks

3rd June 2020 - ALERT highlights that India’s protected areas are rapidly disappearing

25th February 2020 - Indian amusement parks generate more than 30 million annual visits

17th July 2019 - Two fatalities as pendulum ride breaks apart at Indian amusement park

31st July 2018 - India’s top amusement park goes cashless with Intercard technology

18th July 2018 - Visits to Indian theme park set to double

22nd March 2017 - Fast-growing Indian theme park industry needs new investment

5th June 2015 - Asian market drives expanding global theme park attendances

1st May 2013 - New Indian theme park targets growing middle-class


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

revolutioniseSPORT

revolutioniseSPORT is the emerging market leader in online club management in Australia. Whether it is memberships, registrations, events, online sales or governance tools - revolutioniseSPORT is the…

read more

Recreation / Sport / Technology

 
 

VITEC

Stadiums and venues around the world recognise that success hinges on more than just what happens on the pitch. More than ever, fan engagement within each facility is a critical part of the overall…

read more

Entertainment / Sport / Technology / Venues

 
 

24/7 Software

The world's greatest properties run on 24/7 Software Whether at commercial properties, corporate facilities, sports arenas, or public entertainment venues, we're proud to lead the way in…

read more

Entertainment / Security / Sport / Technology / Venues

 
 

IEDM

iEDM integrate Design, Engineering and Delivery Management services to convert existing spaces into exciting new entertainment venues. Our team consists of highly qualified professionals with diverse…

read more

Consultants / Design

 
 

Pricemark Pty Ltd

Pricemark supplies a wide range of custom branded membership & RFID access products for the Health & Leisure Industry. 

read more

Access

 
 

PaySmart

Headquartered in Brisbane with an Australia-wide network of satellite offices, PaySmart is one of Australia’s largest and longest-standing direct debit billing companies. In 1996 we began…

read more

Access / Billing / Fitness / Technology

 
 

Envibe

With its sleek good looks and easy-to-use yet powerful functionality, Envibe is the premium fitness club software for the Australasian leisure, recreation and fitness industry. We are the most…

read more

Aquatics / Fitness / Recreation / Technology

 
 

Gladstone MRM

Gladstone Health & Leisure (Gladstone MRM Pty Ltd Australia) is a leading supplier of leisure management and fitness software and is endorsed by leading health and fitness professionals and…

read more

Access / Billing / Fitness / Technology / Venues

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business