After several years of disappointing attendance numbers and earnings, SeaWorld is once again making a splash.
The second quarter earnings released Monday show attendance and revenue are up at the theme park.
SeaWorld had been losing customers since the 2013 documentary "Blackfish" raised questions about the company's treatment of its killer whales and their trainers.
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The recent good news caused stocks to soar almost 20 percent. Total revenue is up almost 5 percent over the same period in 2017.
Net profits were more than $22 million, which is a far cry from the $175 million loss in 2017.
Attendance to SeaWorld's theme parks jumped 4.8 percent over last year.
“We believe that these results were driven by our new strategic pricing strategies, new marketing and communication initiatives and a positive reception of our new rides attractions and events,” SeaWorld CEO John Reilly said. "We are confident in the direction we are heading, and we are encouraged by the results that we are seeing in our business."
SeaWorld officials said not only are there more visitors coming through the gates, they're spending more money at the park, too.
Spending per visitor went up by 6½ percent over last year.
This is Colin, a rescued sea turtle that had plastic debris lodged in his intestines. This surgery is long, intensive work, but it’s the only way to save animals like Colin. Let’s work together and stop the assault on our oceans and animals. Let’s #BeatPlasticPollution. pic.twitter.com/bcoP1CvJ1C
— SeaWorld (@SeaWorld) June 6, 2018
Cox Media Group
