IAAPI urges India’s state governments to reopen amusement parks and release industry stimulus packages

The Indian Association of Amusement Parks and Industries (IAAPI) has submitted its latest representation calling on Indian states to permit the reopening of attractions and theme parks and announce a stimulus package to revive the sector.

Having made representations to Aaditya Thackeray, Tourism Minister for the state of Maharashtra, IAAPI, IAAPI Vice Chairman, Rajeev Jalnapurkar advised in a statement today “we met with the tourism minister and requested him to immediately reopen the amusement parks, which have been shut since the lockdown.

“We have been incurring huge losses and also been paying the maintenance charges, heavy rental to mall owners and salary to employees.

"We have also requested the minister to declare a stimulus package for the sector to survive." Jalnapurkar explained the Minister Thackeray had assured the industry body of all cooperation and stated that reopening of amusement parks will be considered in the state’s next unlock notification.

With the city of Mumbai in its borders, Maharashtra is India’s second-most populous state and has over 26 amusement parks and a large number of indoor amusement centres which operate out of malls and at tourist destinations.

They directly employ about 20,000 people and create indirect employment for 105,000 (1.05 lakh) people.

IAAPI has made similar representations in other states while also have issued a document, IAAPI Recommended Guidance on Reopening of Amusement Industry in India.

Click here to view the document.

Image: Mumbai's Essel World.