The Drum Awards for Marketing - Extended Deadline

-d -h -min -sec

Hotels

Sea World announces plans for branded hotels in effort to recoup lost killer whale revenue

Author

By Tony Connelly, Sports Marketing Reporter

November 18, 2015 | 2 min read

Sea World has announced plans to build branded hotels next to its parks in an effort to offset the huge financial hit it will suffer following the decision to end its killer whale shows.

Sea World announces hotel plans

Sea World announces hotel plans

The company has unveiled plans for a hotel at its San Diego park and has signalled its intention to do so at another four of its eleven parks by identifying land where it would develop.

The move follows the tired-and-tested Disney model of building hotels in or next to the amusement parks to encourage tourists to spend money on rooms, visits to the park and souvenirs.

Sea World has undergone a difficult couple months that have dampened the hopes for its future and left huge gaps in its already plummeting revenue intake. The California Coastal Commission banned the San Diego site from captive orca breeding which has essentially laid a path to the end of its most prised attraction.

Adding to this was the company’s decision to end its circus like killer whale show following years mounting pressure which stem from the award winning documentary ‘Blackfish’ which exposed cruelty and wrongdoing on the part of Sea World.

The news of hotels will be seen as a way for the brand to repair its tarnished image and secure a future away from killer whale captivity. In attempting to attract visits to stay at its hotels, the company will offer perks for guests such as early entry into the parks before the masses arrive, front-of-the-line passes and delivery of park purchases to your hotel room.

In San Diego, SeaWorld will partner with longtime hotel owner and operator Evans Hotels, which already has two Mission Bay resorts near the marine park

Hotels

More from Hotels

View all

Trending

Industry insights

View all
Add your own content +