(Yicai) Nov. 20 -- Revenue at China’s largest theme parks rose 15.3 percent last year despite the attractions having fewer visitors because of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a report.

The 80 big theme parks had revenue of CNY15.4 billion (USD2.1 billion) in 2022, The Paper reported yesterday, citing the annual report by the Institute for Theme Parks Studies in China released on Nov. 18. Visitor numbers dipped 0.3 percent to 75.7 million from the year before.

According to the report, the Chinese mainland had 82 large or extra-large theme parks in 2022, with the institute’s latest study including 80, up 10 from the prior year.

Visitor numbers fell despite the increase in the number of big parks, while revenue grew mainly because of the inclusion of large theme parks such as Universal Studios Beijing, said Lin Huanjie, president of the institute.

Excluding the 10 newly added attractions, the ranks of visitors dropped 14 percent to around 64.4 million last year, and revenue tumbled 16.2 percent to CNY11 billion.

Shanghai Disneyland and Universal Studios Beijing were the most attractive and profitable theme parks, with Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park, Zhuhai's Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, and Beijing Happy Valley making up the top five.

Chinese theme park operators are creating an “industrial chain,” Lin pointed out, as a notable development among them is the increasing level of branding.

Forty-four of the 80 parks reported on belong to Chinese brands, including  Fantawild, Happy Valley, and Haichang Ocean Park, said Lin, who added that they have been paying more attention to brand expansion and development and are connecting theme parks in China's eastern, central, and western regions to build their brands.

Editor: Martin Kadiev