/ Felice anniversario, PortAventura! /

The year 2025 is a special one for PortAventura World Parks & Resort, as it celebrates 30 years of business. It has been a long journey for the Spanish resort in Vila-seca – on the Costa Dorada, just outside Tarragona and not far from Barcelona – marked by numerous successes and constant growth on various fronts.

Originally established as a theme park (and at the time of its opening, it was the first in Spain), over time, PortAventura has evolved into a resort, adding one piece after another over the years. To recall some of the major milestones, in 2002 the Caribe Aquatic Park opened (50,000sqm of Caribbean-themed slides and pools), while in 2009, a 6,000-seat convention center was introduced. In 2011, the themed areas of PortAventura Park expanded from 5 to 6 with the opening of SesamoAventura, inspired by the characters of Sesame Street. In 2017, Ferrari Land was inaugurated, the resort’s second theme park and the only park in Europe dedicated to the Ferrari legend.

A resort, to be considered as such, must include one or more hotels. The first hotel at PortAventura dates back to 2002, and today the resort boasts 6 hotels (4- and 5-star), along with 4 additional external hotels under the brand Ponient Hotels by PortAventura World, located between Vila-seca and Salou, for a total of over 3,000 rooms.

In 30 years, PortAventura World Parks & Resort has welcomed over 100 million visitors from around the world, positioning itself as a driving force for the economy of Catalonia: more than 24,000 jobs (direct and indirect) are created each year, contributing 0.5% to the regional GDP.

“PortAventura World is more than a themed resort; it is a reference point in the entertainment industry and a driving force for the development of our community,” said managing director Fernando Aldecoa at an event a few days ago organized specifically for the 30th anniversary. “Throughout these 30 years, we have worked with passion and commitment to create unforgettable experiences and we continue to look to the future with the same enthusiasm that has set us apart from the outset.”

The celebrations at the park’s reopening, scheduled for March, will be spectacular and will involve enhanced parades, new shows, gastronomy, and resort merchandise. Special events are also planned throughout the season, along with other surprises that will be revealed later.

Continue reading Games & Parks Industry January 2025, page 16

Photos Courtesy: PortAventura

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