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NEWS
SeaWorld cutting 320 jobs as part of company-wide restructuring
POSTED 09 Dec 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
The cuts will be spread across the company’s 12 theme parks, including its SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio Credit: Shutterstock.com
SeaWorld Entertainment has announced a company restructuring which will see 320 jobs cut after a sharp dip in attendance.

The cuts will be spread across the company’s 12 theme parks, including its SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio, in addition to its Sesame Place attraction in Pennsylvania and Busch Gardens in Florida and Virginia. The company’s headquarters in Orlando will also be affected.

SeaWorld submitted a Securities and Exchange (SEC) filing in line with the restructuring, stating that the move is part of previously-announced plans to cut costs by around US$65m (€61.2m, £51.6m) by the end of 2018. According to the filing, the jobs will have been eliminated by the end of this month.

“Overall, we are seeing indications of stabilisation, and we believe our results by the end of 2017 and beyond will materially benefit from our focus on significant cost reductions, our brand repositioning, our strategic marketing and pricing initiatives and our continued commitment to consistent and disciplined capital investments,” said SeaWorld CEO Joel Manby, speaking in November.

September’s Hurricane Hermine and other adverse weather hit attendance at SeaWorld’s northeastern locations, alongside a decline of around 93,000 Latin American visitors compared to Q3 2015.

This is the second time in recent years that SeaWorld has had a round of mass cuts. The company released more than 300 employees in 2014 after its reputation took a hit in the wake of Blackfish – a documentary highlighting the dangers of cetaceans in captivity. Severance and job placement packages are reportedly being offered.
RELATED STORIES
  'Fun and meaningful' at the forefront as SeaWorld details upcoming attractions for 2017


SeaWorld Entertainment continues on its mission to deliver experiences that matter, unveiling a number of new rides and experiences at its parks across North America.
  SeaWorld reports fall in Q3 income, embarks on US$40m cost-cutting drive


SeaWorld Entertainment reported a 2 per cent decrease in revenue for the quarter year on year, with attendance at some parks affected by weather conditions and falling inward tourism from Latin America.
  SeaWorld forms in-house creative team to drive innovation and experience


As it continues to rebuild its identity from the ground up, SeaWorld has announced the formation of Deep Blue Creative – a new team within the company tasked with bringing to life innovative new experiences under its fun and meaningful philosophy.
  SeaWorld shares rally after activist investor group takes significant stake


SeaWorld has enjoyed a 5 per cent increase in its share value after activist investor group Ivory Cove disclosed a notable stake in the company.
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'Minor wellness hotels' recorded the strongest growth across top KPIs in 2025, finds RLA Global
Wellness hotels generating less than US$1 million (€932,700, £785,200) – or 10 per cent of total revenue from wellness and leisure – recorded the strongest RevPAR and TRevPAR growth in 2025 across categories when compared with 2024, according to the latest Wellness Real Estate Report by RLA Global, produced in partnership with P and L benchmarking firm HotStats.
Lefay Resorts introduces emotional dance classes to offer experiences that foster connection
Lefay Resorts, the portfolio of two luxury wellness properties in Italy, has added emotional dance classes and group cold plunge sessions in response to market demand for social connection.
Robert Thurman: a life dedicated to enlightenment
Robert Thurman, an expert on Tibetan Buddhism and the spiritual director of Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Woodstock, has died, aged 84.
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Uniting the world of spa & wellness
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News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
SeaWorld cutting 320 jobs as part of company-wide restructuring
POSTED 09 Dec 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
The cuts will be spread across the company’s 12 theme parks, including its SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio Credit: Shutterstock.com
SeaWorld Entertainment has announced a company restructuring which will see 320 jobs cut after a sharp dip in attendance.

The cuts will be spread across the company’s 12 theme parks, including its SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio, in addition to its Sesame Place attraction in Pennsylvania and Busch Gardens in Florida and Virginia. The company’s headquarters in Orlando will also be affected.

SeaWorld submitted a Securities and Exchange (SEC) filing in line with the restructuring, stating that the move is part of previously-announced plans to cut costs by around US$65m (€61.2m, £51.6m) by the end of 2018. According to the filing, the jobs will have been eliminated by the end of this month.

“Overall, we are seeing indications of stabilisation, and we believe our results by the end of 2017 and beyond will materially benefit from our focus on significant cost reductions, our brand repositioning, our strategic marketing and pricing initiatives and our continued commitment to consistent and disciplined capital investments,” said SeaWorld CEO Joel Manby, speaking in November.

September’s Hurricane Hermine and other adverse weather hit attendance at SeaWorld’s northeastern locations, alongside a decline of around 93,000 Latin American visitors compared to Q3 2015.

This is the second time in recent years that SeaWorld has had a round of mass cuts. The company released more than 300 employees in 2014 after its reputation took a hit in the wake of Blackfish – a documentary highlighting the dangers of cetaceans in captivity. Severance and job placement packages are reportedly being offered.
RELATED STORIES
'Fun and meaningful' at the forefront as SeaWorld details upcoming attractions for 2017


SeaWorld Entertainment continues on its mission to deliver experiences that matter, unveiling a number of new rides and experiences at its parks across North America.
SeaWorld reports fall in Q3 income, embarks on US$40m cost-cutting drive


SeaWorld Entertainment reported a 2 per cent decrease in revenue for the quarter year on year, with attendance at some parks affected by weather conditions and falling inward tourism from Latin America.
SeaWorld forms in-house creative team to drive innovation and experience


As it continues to rebuild its identity from the ground up, SeaWorld has announced the formation of Deep Blue Creative – a new team within the company tasked with bringing to life innovative new experiences under its fun and meaningful philosophy.
SeaWorld shares rally after activist investor group takes significant stake


SeaWorld has enjoyed a 5 per cent increase in its share value after activist investor group Ivory Cove disclosed a notable stake in the company.
MORE NEWS
Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, opens with spa philosophy of ‘Wellness without Walls’
Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, has opened today (10 July) in the Northwest of England with a 1,715sq m Fairmont Spa that has been designed using a ‘Wellness without Walls’ concept.
'Minor wellness hotels' recorded the strongest growth across top KPIs in 2025, finds RLA Global
Wellness hotels generating less than US$1 million (€932,700, £785,200) – or 10 per cent of total revenue from wellness and leisure – recorded the strongest RevPAR and TRevPAR growth in 2025 across categories when compared with 2024, according to the latest Wellness Real Estate Report by RLA Global, produced in partnership with P and L benchmarking firm HotStats.
Lefay Resorts introduces emotional dance classes to offer experiences that foster connection
Lefay Resorts, the portfolio of two luxury wellness properties in Italy, has added emotional dance classes and group cold plunge sessions in response to market demand for social connection.
Robert Thurman: a life dedicated to enlightenment
Robert Thurman, an expert on Tibetan Buddhism and the spiritual director of Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Woodstock, has died, aged 84.
BBSpa Group to launch holistic bathhouse Atera in Glasgow
International spa, wellness and longevity consultancy, BBSpa, will launch a new bathhouse called Atera in Glasgow, Scotland, in September.
Ananda in the Himalayas publishes Ayurvedic cookbook
Ananda in the Himalayas, India, has published its first cookbook, built on the wellness retreat’s 25 years of Ayurvedic cuisine expertise.
+ More news   
 
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Zerobody Cryo: Starpool's contrast therapy solution
Contrast therapy, based on the alternation of hot and cold rituals, has become one of the most valued practices in the fields of wellness and recovery. [more...]

Elemis launches its first Red Light Mask, lighting the way to advanced skin health and restoration
Elemis has branched into LED skincare with the launch of its breakthrough Red Light Mask. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Lemi Group

Lemi Group designs and produces treatment tables, chairs and multi-functional furniture and equipmen [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
10-12 Sep 2026

ASEAN Patio Pool Spa Expo 2026

MITEC Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia, Malaysia
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
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LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
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