Compagnie des Alpes recorded a 7.7% increase in sales at its Leisure Destinations division during the first half of its financial year 2017-18. Total sales during the period, through until March 31, were €93.8 million ($110m).

It is the fifth first half-year period in a row that the French-based group has enjoyed strong growth within the division, which includes theme parks such as Parc Astérix (pictured), Futuroscope and Walibi parks in France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Once again, sales during the Halloween period were particularly good at some parks. In addition, spending per visitor (SPV) increased by a significant 6%, while consolidated attendance was up by 1.7%.

For the Leisure Destinations division, EBITDA was once again negative for the period due to the highly seasonal nature of this business, although it showed considerable improvement compared with the same period last financial year, going from -15.9 million euros for the 1st half of 2016/2017 to -11.9 million euros this year, mainly due to the good operating performances for facilities.

The Group decided last December not to continue operating the Grévin waxworks museums in Seoul and Prague and therefore to recognise them as discontinued operations in the income statement. The Seoul operator was ceded to a Korean minority partner in February, while the Prague site was sold in April 2018 (post half-year closing) to a Belgian industrialist. These two attractions will continue to be operated under the Grévin brand, but the expected royalties will be insignificant.

Meanwhile Compagnie des Alpes’ ski area sales for the 1st half of 2017/18 – the division’s peak operating period – reached €372.1m, an increase of +2.8% versus the same period of the previous financial year.

Image courtesy Parc Astérix