MAM
The evolution of theme parks: A game-changer in amusement industry development
Mumbai: In our modern, fast-paced world, the entertainment industry is always changing to match the evolving tastes of both adventure enthusiasts and families. A particularly exciting and imaginative idea that has emerged recently is the theme park – a revolutionary concept that has completely transformed how we enjoy entertainment.
Theme Parks: A new dimension of entertainment
Theme parks have revolutionised the amusement industry by providing immersive experiences that cater to individuals of all age groups. Their substantial growth and revenue generation underline the immense popularity of such experiences. This shift indicates a strong preference among audiences for complete engagement in diverse adventures.
Why theme parks are gaining popularity
1. Creating Stories: Theme parks go beyond rides, telling exciting stories around their attractions. This kind of storytelling creates emotional connections, making the experience memorable. Whether it’s fantasy, history, or space adventures, theme parks offer an exciting escape from reality.
2. Family Fun: Families enjoy theme parks because they offer something for everyone. From thrilling rides for the brave to gentle attractions and play areas for kids, there’s something enjoyable for every family member.
3. Learning and Enjoyment: Many theme parks combine fun with learning, sharing history, science, art, and culture in an entertaining way. This mix provides a fun experience that also teaches something new.
4. Moments to Cherish: Theme parks create shareable moments perfect for social media. The desire to join the fun and the fear of missing out motivate people to visit and share their adventures online, boosting the parks’ popularity.
5. Theme amusement parks are distinctly different from any other form of leisure & entertainment as it offer interactive and participative forms of entertainment in a safe & environment-friendly atmosphere.
6. Theme parks are revolutionary as these are nowadays based on various innovative themes ranging from Children entertainment to Family attractions and Water/Snow games. Indoor amusements to science parks offering edutainment. Adventure sports are also based on various themes. History and general knowledge-based parks, religious theme parks, and Space experience-oriented parks are also becoming popular.
7. To instil confidence in the minds of the visitors, the advent of modern and updated science & technology park attraction designs are always conscience of human safety.
The challenges and future of theme parks
Theme parks have won over many people, but they also deal with challenges in staying attractive and important. Finding a balance between new ideas and keeping beloved attractions is crucial to match changing preferences while honouring nostalgia. Moreover, addressing concerns about environmental sustainability, inclusiveness, and crowd control is vital for the industry’s success.
The future of theme parks looks thrilling, thanks to progress in technology and design. Virtual reality, augmented reality, and interactive features are set to elevate theme park experiences, captivating visitors like never before.
Conclusion: A new era of entertainment
Theme parks have revolutionised entertainment by combining fantasy, adventure, and education. Their continuous improvement is changing how we enjoy ourselves and create cherished memories with family and friends. Exploring these meticulously designed realms offers a thrilling and enchanting getaway, making theme parks a captivating and enduring concept in the entertainment landscape.
In a world that treasures experiences and memories, theme parks showcase human creativity and our yearning for extraordinary journeys. As this new era of entertainment unfolds, we eagerly anticipate the remarkable opportunities that theme parks will provide to inspire upcoming generations.
This article has been authored by IAAPI chairman Srikant Goenka
Brands
Estée Lauder to shed 10,000 jobs as new boss bets on digital shift
The cosmetics giant raises its profit outlook but stays silent on a possible merger with Spain’s Puig, as job cuts deepen and a three-year sales slump weighs on the turnaround
NEW YORK: Stéphane de La Faverie is not done cutting. Estée Lauder announced on Friday that it plans to eliminate as many as 3,000 additional jobs, taking its total redundancy programme to as many as 10,000 roles, up from a previous target of 7,000 announced a year ago. The company, which owns La Mer, The Ordinary, Tom Ford, and Aveda, employs roughly 57,000 people worldwide. The mathematics of what is now being contemplated is stark.
The fresh round of cuts is expected to generate a further $200 million in savings, bringing the total annual savings from the programme to as much as $1.2 billion before taxes. That money, De La Faverie has made clear, will be ploughed back into the turnaround.
A CEO in a hurry
De La Faverie, who took the helm in January 2025, inherited a company that had endured three consecutive years of annual sales declines. His response has been to move fast and cut deep. A significant portion of the latest redundancies reflects his push to reduce headcount at US department stores, long a cornerstone of Estée Lauder’s distribution model but now a channel in structural decline. In their place, he is accelerating the shift toward faster-growing online platforms, including Amazon.com and TikTok Shop, a pivot that is reshaping not just where Estée Lauder sells but how it thinks about its customers.
The numbers are moving in the right direction
Despite the pain, there are signs the medicine is working. Estée Lauder raised its profit outlook for the remainder of the fiscal year, guiding for adjusted earnings per share in the range of $2.35 to $2.45, above analyst estimates and a notable step up from the $2.05 to $2.25 range it had guided for in February. Organic net sales growth is expected to come in at 3 per cent, the company said, at the high end of the range it set out in February.
The share price tells a mixed story. After De La Faverie took charge, the stock surged nearly 60 per cent, buoyed by investor optimism that a longtime company insider could finally arrest the decline. But 2026 has been rougher: the shares have fallen 27 per cent this year, weighed down by disappointing February results and the overhang of unresolved merger talks with Spanish beauty giant Puig Brands SA. The company gave no additional details about those discussions on Friday, leaving the market to guess.
Silence on Puig
The proposed tie-up with Puig remains the most consequential unknown hanging over Estée Lauder. A deal with the Barcelona-based group, which owns brands including Carolina Herrera and Rabanne, would reshape the global luxury beauty landscape. But with nothing new to say and a turnaround still very much in progress, De La Faverie is asking investors to trust the process.
Three years of sales declines, 10,000 job cuts, and a merger that may or may not happen. At Estée Lauder, the overhaul has barely started.
