Adrian Jones, previously US president of Merlin Entertainments, the world?s second-largest visitor attraction operator, has joined North Wales adventure company Zip World as CEO.
Jones has over 30 years? experience in the visitor attraction sector and played a key role in Merlin?s aggressive growth in the USA from 2007-2019. He draws on extensive experience in marketing, sales, and strategic partnerships as he takes the helm at Zip World, joining the company at a pivotal time amid ambitious growth plans.
The new role sees Jones relocating from the US to the Conwy Valley, North Wales, having spent the best part of two decades overseas. Jones began his journey in America in 2004 as general manager for Madame Tussauds Las Vegas. He went on to lead the opening teams for the first Legoland Discovery Centre in Chicago circa 2008, Madame Tussauds Hollywood in 2009, and then spent a decade at Legoland Florida. There, he oversaw the transformation of the theme park into a resort proposition with the development of new rides, attractions, a water park and two hotels. He became president of Merlin Entertainments USA in 2017, overseeing 30+ attractions, including well-known brands such as Madame Tussauds, Sealife and LEGOLAND Discovery Centres. He also served as chairman of Visit Orlando, the largest destination marketing organizations (DMO) in the US.
Jones? extensive experience in brand development, commercial strategy and managing operational growth is perfect for Zip World, which recently acquired a new hotel, the Tyn-y-Coed, Capel Curig, as well as two England-based adventure parks. The plans for growth don?t stop there, with planning applications for multiple other UK sites currently in submission and several new attractions in development.
cont
https://www.wales247.co.uk/former-merlin-entertainments-us-president-joins-zip-world-as-ceo?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
