Universal Parks & Resorts has taken a step toward establishing a theme park in South Korea.
The entertainment company has granted Uskor & Associates Ltd., a Korean company, exclusive rights to develop and operate a Universal Studios theme-park resort in Korea. The two companies announced the exclusive option agreement today in Seoul.
"Korea has ideal conditions for a global theme park like Universal Studios," Universal Chairman Tom Williams said in a statement.
South Koreans are no strangers to the theme-park world. The country -- which is slightly larger in size than Indiana -- has two theme parks that rank in the top 25 for attendance in the world. Everland, in Kyonggi-Do, drew approximately 7.5 million visitors last year, which is more than Universal Studios in Orlando.
Universal's announcement comes on the heels of additional expansions unveiled recently by the company.
Just weeks ago, Universal said it will license its name, expertise and top attractions to a project in the United Arab Emirates called Universal Studios Dubailand. And late last year, Universal announced preliminary plans for another independently owned Universal Studios park in Singapore.
As part of the new agreement, Uskor is responsible for leading the efforts to acquire business and financial relationships, as well as public support, for the park. The company said there are several potential sites.
It's not a done deal, but if all goes well, a Universal Studios Korea park and resort could open by 2012.
"We're very confident and optimistic about the outcome," said Jim Canfield, a spokesman for Universal Parks & Resorts.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busi...-universal2207may22,0,1151271.story?track=rss
The entertainment company has granted Uskor & Associates Ltd., a Korean company, exclusive rights to develop and operate a Universal Studios theme-park resort in Korea. The two companies announced the exclusive option agreement today in Seoul.
"Korea has ideal conditions for a global theme park like Universal Studios," Universal Chairman Tom Williams said in a statement.
South Koreans are no strangers to the theme-park world. The country -- which is slightly larger in size than Indiana -- has two theme parks that rank in the top 25 for attendance in the world. Everland, in Kyonggi-Do, drew approximately 7.5 million visitors last year, which is more than Universal Studios in Orlando.
Universal's announcement comes on the heels of additional expansions unveiled recently by the company.
Just weeks ago, Universal said it will license its name, expertise and top attractions to a project in the United Arab Emirates called Universal Studios Dubailand. And late last year, Universal announced preliminary plans for another independently owned Universal Studios park in Singapore.
As part of the new agreement, Uskor is responsible for leading the efforts to acquire business and financial relationships, as well as public support, for the park. The company said there are several potential sites.
It's not a done deal, but if all goes well, a Universal Studios Korea park and resort could open by 2012.
"We're very confident and optimistic about the outcome," said Jim Canfield, a spokesman for Universal Parks & Resorts.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busi...-universal2207may22,0,1151271.story?track=rss
