Business Forum • 23 May, 2024 at 11:56 AM
According to an economic impact study conducted by BrandBerry, Dino Parc Râșnov managed to boost the tourism potential of the entire town of Râșnov thanks to more than 3.5 million tourists who visited the theme park. The data from the study also shows that Dino Parc has doubled the city's economy and brought local businesses an extra €100 million in just 8 years.
Also, since its establishment, Dino Parc Râșnov has directly and indirectly generated between 460 and 625 jobs, and in 2023 it provided financial support of over RON 1.8 million to the educational system, through free tickets for Școala Altfel and Săptămâna Verde programmes.
The theme park was inaugurated in 2015 and in just 8 years it would become an economic catalyst for the city and the most attractive tourist attraction in Romania for families with children. According to a study conducted by market research and data analysis company BrandBerry, Dino Parc has doubled Râșnov's economy and brought, since its establishment, an extra €100 million to the city's businesses. Also, in terms of the Brasov county economy, the impact of Dino Parc Rasnov is of at least €50 million in the hospitality industry and over a quarter of a billion euros in the county's GDP between 2015-2023.
Dino Parc Râșnov has quickly become one of the most popular tourist attractions for families with children in Romania. Once Dino Parc Râșnov opened, the interest shown in online searches significantly exceeded the interest shown for other renowned attractions in the same category, such as the Huniazilor Castle or the Antipa Museum. In addition, between 2016 and 2023, searches for Dino Parc Râșnov outnumbered those for Bran Castle, indicating a high level of attention from tourists.
"When we laid the groundwork for Dino Parc, we looked beyond launching an entertainment facility and identified the potential such a business could bring to the community. We set out with confidence, knowing that we could create something special and meaningful for visitors, but also for our city. Today, we are proud to see how Dino Parc has become one of the most loved tourist attractions, attracting a total of over 3.5 million visitors. We are glad that our vision has been confirmed by the data, becoming reality, and that we are an active part of the prosperity and well-being of the city of Râșnov", said Adrian Apostu, General Manager of Dino Parc Râșnov.
Around half a million visitors come to Dino Parc Râșnov every year, an impressive number considering that the city's population does not exceed 16,000 inhabitants. In the town, the number of tourists has seen the most significant increase since the park's launch, reaching in 2019 an increase of almost 400% compared to 2010.
Dino Parc Râșnov, a business catalyst for the HoReCa sector in the region
In a short time, the theme park has become an essential landmark for the town of Râșnov and a pillar supporting local related businesses. More than four years ago, the Râșnov Fortress entered a rehabilitation process and was closed. In the absence of another major tourist attraction, visitor numbers would have been reduced by more than 50%, resulting in considerable financial losses, according to the study results. Since its opening, more than 3.5 million tourists have passed through the doors of Dino Parc Râșnov, and more than half of them said they had visited the area specifically for it. Thus, the theme park has contributed to strengthening the city's brand and increasing its national and international reputation.
"Dino Parc Râșnov exemplifies how well-planned investment and efficient management can contribute to the revitalisation of a region through tourism. In its eight years of activity, Dino Parc Râșnov has had a significant impact on tourism in Brasov county, stimulating an increase in the number of tourists. The theme park has generated direct and indirect revenues and has contributed positively to the development of the local economy, both in the private and public sectors," said Călin Ile, BrandBerry Partner & Senior Partner Premium Hospitality.
The presence of this business in Râșnov has created new business opportunities, the results of the study show. The number of HoReCa companies has increased in the 8 years of activity by 45 units and the number of companies from other sectors by 190 units. The economic impact is also reflected in the number of related jobs. Dino Parc has directly generated between 183 and 250 jobs in the hospitality sector and indirectly between 275 and 375 jobs in other industries, thanks to the multiplier effect of tourism. In addition, the park has become a vital source of income for many inhabitants, and today between 6.1% and 8.3% of the working population of Râșnov earn their income thanks to Dino Parc Râșnov.
Because the impact of a business is not just about economics, the dinosaur park in Râșnov has also demonstrated a significant commitment to education and children's access to culture. During 2023, around 60,000 children were given free access during Școala Altfel and Săptămâna Verde programmes, accompanied by their teachers. This initiative represented a significant financial support for the families of the beneficiaries, with a total estimated cost of over RON 1.8 million. In addition, free admission is available to pupils in the city throughout the year.
The appearance of Dino Parc Râșnov was an important step for the tourism industry in the region, but also in Romania. The development of this entrepreneurial project has stabilized the town of Râșnov, including it in the national and international tourist circuit. This fact is confirmed by the awards won. In 2023, Dino Parc was the Grand Winner of the "Destination of the Year 2023" Viewers' Award and the "Fun and Adventure Parks" category. The park also won the Tripadvisor Travelers Choice Award, an award given by the world's largest travel recommendation platform based on reviews left by travelers from around the world.
The impact study on the presence of Dino Parc Râșnov in the local community was conducted by BrandBerry, in partnership with Premier Hospitality. The methodology applied was multidimensional, integrating economic information with the assessment of perceptions and attractiveness. The study combined quantitative and qualitative data analysis and interpretation was carried out using specific content analysis techniques.
Dino Parc Râșnov is the largest dinosaur park in South-East Europe and an open-air museum, voted Destination of the Year 2023 in the category Fun and Adventure Parks. The park covers an area of 4 hectares and features a trail with more than 120 life-size dinosaurs. Other activities in the park include a tree adventure trail, two children's playgrounds, a maze room with lasers, a children's painting workshop, a 9D and an open-air cinema, as well as various national and international science exhibitions.