Merlin Entertainments plc AGM Trading Update (8699H)
June 13 2017 - 2:00AM
UK Regulatory
TIDMMERL
RNS Number : 8699H
Merlin Entertainments plc
13 June 2017
Merlin Entertainments plc - AGM Trading Update
13 June 2017
Group trading year to date has been broadly in line with
expectations, reflecting the outlook and commentary provided on 2
March.
2020 milestones
We continue to make good progress towards our 2020 New Business
Development milestones. Specifically:
-- c250 accommodation rooms have been opened so far in 2017, in
LEGOLAND Florida and LEGOLAND Billund, with further rooms scheduled
to be opened in the balance of the year.
-- Three Midway attractions have been opened to date, comprising
LEGOLAND Discovery Centres in Melbourne and Philadelphia, and
Madame Tussauds Nashville. SEA LIFE Centre Chongqing will open on
15 June and, as previously announced, our new brand 'Little Big
City' will open in Berlin in July.
-- LEGOLAND Japan opened on 1 April. The park was opened ahead of schedule and on budget.
Our international New Business Development continues to make a
strong contribution to Group performance and we remain confident in
the delivery of our 2020 milestones.
Current trading
In our Midway London Division, trading in the early part of the
year benefited from stronger foreign visitation to the UK
reflecting the more favourable foreign exchange rates. This
continued in the immediate aftermath of the Westminster attack on
22 March, although the incident did result in a softer domestic,
day-trip market. However, the subsequent attacks in Manchester and
London over the past month have resulted in a further deterioration
in domestic demand and, given the typical lag between holiday
bookings and visitation, we are also cautious on trends in foreign
visitation over the coming months.
Trading in the LEGOLAND Parks and Resort Theme Parks Operating
Groups has been in line with expectations, although a number of our
UK parks have been adversely affected in recent weeks by the terror
attacks and subsequent heightened security measures.
Nick Varney, Chief Executive Officer, said:
"I am pleased that we are making good progress towards our 2020
New Business Development milestones. That said, the impact of
recent terror attacks on our London attractions is unclear at this
stage. What is clear however is that London has bounced back
before, and will do again. I have every confidence in the longer
term resilience and growth trajectory of the market. London is very
much open for business, welcoming visitors from the UK and from
around the world to this exciting and vibrant city.
Merlin has a diverse portfolio of global brands with over 70% of
2016 profits from outside the UK and this proportion will only grow
over time as we continue to invest internationally. I remain
confident in the company's underlying growth prospects."
Merlin will report 2017 Interim results on 4 August.
Contact details:
For further information please contact:
Investors
Simon Whittington +44 (0)1202 493 011
Media
James Crampton +44 (0)1932 481 676
Brunswick
Fiona Micallef-Eynaud
/ Imran Jina +44 (0)20 7404 5959
About Merlin Entertainments plc
Merlin Entertainments plc is a global leader in location based,
family entertainment. As Europe's Number 1 and the world's
second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates
over 100 attractions, 13 hotels and 6 holiday villages in 24
countries and across 4 continents. The company aims to deliver
memorable experiences to its more than 60 million visitors
worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the
commitment and passion of its c.27,000 employees (peak season).
Milestones:
In February 2016, Merlin announced the introduction of three New
Business Development milestones, comprising:
-- 2,000 new rooms by the end of 2020
-- 40 new Midway attractions by the end of 2020
-- Four new LEGOLAND parks by the end of 2020
Visit http://www.merlinentertainments.biz for more
information.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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