Terra Mitica Tales

between two and two and a half million Euros to rent Terra Mitica

Benidorm's big theme park, Terra Mitica, is up for grabs at the moment. The park's shareholders – the Valencian Regional Government and two banks, CAM and Bancaja are considering bids from three big companies to run the place.

They've offered between two and two and a half million Euros to rent Terra Mitica and they would of course pocket any profits made for themselves. The 3 bidders are

Aqualandia: the only company with any Benidorm links through its Aqualandia and Mundomar parks.
Parques Reunidos: owned by a British investment fund, it has parks all over Europe and USA and significantly runs the Oceanografic aquarium in Valencia, the most profitable part of the City of Arts and Sciences there.
Aspro: another big multinational with theme parks all over Europe.

More than just the rent offered will be taken into consideration when choosing the 'winner.' The shareholders are looking long term so want to see plans for marketing, sales and public relations along with guarantees of employment for staff in the park.

The City of Arts and Science in Valencia

Rumour has it that Parques Reunidos are favourites because of their good standing in Valencia. The renewal contract for the Oceanografic is up in a couple of years and pundits reckon that they'll only renew that contract on condition that they're running Terra Mitica!
All will be revealed in the future.

27 November 2009 Stephen White.