10,000 people turn up as Terra Mitica opens doors

BENIDORM theme park Terra Mitica opened its door for the first time this season receiving an estimated 10,000 visitors last Saturday. Much has changed following the renovation programme over the winter months. The areas are verdant and more nebulizers have been installed to help keep visitors cool. The park generally has a more relaxed and comfortable atmosphere than previously.

Although not greatly publicised, admission on the first day was free to those who had the coupons. Those who weren’t aware of the scheme turned up and paid as usual. The free first day might have artificially boosted attendance, as on the following day there were noticeably fewer people at the park.

“I don’t think there were 10,000 people today” said Thomas Murdin on Sunday’s attendance,  adding “We were there most of the day and we didn’t have to queue once to get on any ride.”

Some say the basic problem that faces Terra Mitica is not that the concept is wrong or that the park needs updating or somehow “tweaking” to make it more attractive. The new owners have done a marvellous job in improving the experience. But it seems there simply aren’t the people available to fill its massive facilities.

What must be worrying for the new owners is the proposed construction of the new Paramount theme park in Murcia, just an hour away.

With its intended size covering the equivalent of 109 football pitches it will provide stiff competition for a finite market in difficult times.

The new owners of Terra Mitica would do well to concentrate on their core market of Benidorm visitors, for whom Murcia might as well be Florida in terms of distance.

The partnership with the colossus that is Benidorm, could well salvage the area’s biggest theme park. Only time will tell.

By Paul Deed