Mixed news for theme parks industry out of the Travel Industry Association's recent 2008 tourism outlook.

After a year of flat growth in 2006, the organization estimates attendance at U.S. theme parks will rise 1.8 percent this year to 341 million people and another 2.3 percent in 2008 to 349 million. But Suzanne Cook, the senior vice president of research at TIA, says most of the attendance gains are being gobbled up by the Disney and Universals of the world, rather than the Gatorlands and Fun Spots.

"It's the regional parks that have been having more difficulty," Cook said. "Theme parks are attractions…that kind of need to constantly refresh themselves. The major parks do that. The regional parks have been having much more difficulty maintaining a fresh face to the consumer."

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/or...0,2052546.story

What a safe prediction that is...it is very unlikely that Fun Spot will see an increase in attendance. By all accounts, which may still prove wrong but likely won't, Fun Spot closed for the last time this year.

The Gatorland reference is also very unfair. That park had a disastrous fire last year, and has just started rebuilding in the fire area.

Suzanne Cook either has a very sarcastic sense of humor, or she could be much more tactful in her small park choices in her commenting, or both.

EDIT: 7:16am: I just realized she no doubt meant Fun Spot in Orlando, not Indiana, which she probably hasn't even heard of, but still . . .