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Six Flags Europe -> Starparks
Six Flags Europe -> Starparks

With 5.5 million visitors, StarParks is the third largest theme parks’ group in Europe.

Wavre, Belgium – August 10, 2004 – Recently acquired by the private equity firm Palamon Capital Partners, the Six Flags European Division operates officially as of today under the name StarParks. The seven parks of the group are: Six Flags Holland in The Netherlands, Six Flags Belgium and Bellewaerde Park in Belgium, Walibi Lorraine, Walibi Rhône-Alpes and Walibi Aquitaine in France and Warner Bros. Movie World in Germany.
With seven parks in four European countries (Germany, France, The Netherlands and Belgium) and 5.5 million visitors in 2003, the group StarParks reaffirms its key position as the third largest theme park group in Europe after Euro Disney S.A. and the UK based Tussauds Group. The group employs 437 permanent people and about 3850 seasonals each season. Each park is geographically located on strategic areas leading the region on a radius band of 80 km. 95 % of the park’s visitors are living within 2 hours driving.
With its new autonomy, StarParks wants to be recognized as a quality label of professionalism in the regional theme park industry.
“More than ever, our primary mission is to create fun and shared emotions for our guests. With the coming challenges, our vision could not be more clear than today: To be the most dynamic and reliable attraction park company in Europe by focusing our attention on our guests’ experiences, by creating bonding and family fun as well as a thrilling one day release” said Bill Muirhead, StarParks’ Chief Executive Officer.
StarParks has started its re-branding process with its main target group being the entire family.
“Re branding is a real challenge. We have to keep in mind our long term strategy while taking into account our customers expectations as well as the market trend.” Commented Carla Christiaens, Starparks Vice President Marketing & Sales.
“Unlike the past years, we are spending time and effort on market and consumer research. The different studies are still going on with results foreseen in September. 2005 looks exciting and challenge full” added Mrs. Christiaens.
Apart of the re branding investment of more than 5 million Euro, additional money will be injected in operations, attractions and services of the re branded parks with one main priority: enhance the guest’s in park experience".
“Our goal for 2005 and on is to strive for excellence. Whether it is for new characters, for capital investment or park entertainment, the decisions will be done in regards with our long term strategy and company values. Fun, safety, emotions, family, experiences are definitively part of it“ Continued Carla Christiaens, StarParks’ Vice President marketing Europe.
The acquisition by Palamon Capital Partners had no impact on employment. StarParks’ organizational chart is lead by Chief Executive Officer, Bill Muirhead, formely Executive Vice President of Six Flags Europe. The other key Executives are Carla Christiaens (StarParks Vice President Marketing & Sales) who has more than 20 years of experience in the industry and Denis Hermesse, StarParks Vice President Finance, former Walibi Finance Director. As a liaison between StarParks and the new owner, Michael Jolly, formerly chairman and CEO of the Tussauds Groups joined as a non-executive Chairman.
“Mike Jolly represents a real added value within the new structure. His expertise gained from his previous role as Tussauds Group’s Chairman and his industry background will complement the management team.” said Bill Muirhead.
As part of the changes, the Six Flags European Division has for new domain name: www.starparks.com. The website will be softly adapted to get to a new design for 2005.
StarParks operates seven high qualitative and well known attraction parks in Europe, all located in very densely populated areas.
The seven parks of the group are: Six Flags Holland in The Netherlands, Six Flags Belgium and Bellewaerde Park in Belgium, Walibi Lorraine, Walibi Rhône-Alpes and Walibi Aquitaine in France and Warner Bros. Movie World in Germany. StarParks' head office is situated in Wavre (Belgium).

Link: http://www.walibi.com

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