Question: 200 million guests since opening - how is Disneyland Paris doing today? Philippe Gas: In 2008, we reached record revenue and attendance. In spite of the economic conditions, the attractiveness of our destination has not slackened. European guests still wish to live the Disney magic and to experience our destination during short stays. Tourism revenue for the first quarter of FY 09 increased 3 %. It is true that we are not immune from an extended economic crisis. However we continue to focus on the strategies that have proven their efficiency over the last few years and that have delivered results. Question: What challenges must you face as the number one European tourist destination? Philippe Gas: Our strength is our capacity to adapt constantly to our guests' new consuming modes: purchasing power constraints, personalization of their visit, proximity and ease to reserve. We have learned to leverage trends in leisure and tourism in order to exceed our guests' expectations. We will continue to imagine the entertainment of the future. We are continuing to develop our tourist destination with new attractions and new shows in our Parks; to increase our hotel capacity; to diversify the destination in particular with new convention facilities for business tourism and even to extend Disney Village; we will pursue together with the French State and the local authorities the development of Val d'Europe. Year after year we will reinforce our attractiveness as the number one European tourist destination. Question: What is new at the Resort in 2009? Philippe Gas: In 2009 there are many more reasons to visit our Resort. In April we will launch Mickey's Magical Party, a theme that will be present throughout our Parks for a whole year of festivities. Guests will discover two new shows in the Disneyland Park. In the Walt Disney Studios Park we will launch Disney's Stars 'n' Cars, a Disney-style happening, and a new attraction: Playhouse Disney Live! featuring the favourite Disney Channel characters. These new attractions and shows demonstrate our capacity to renew our product and to create new experiences that allow all guests to immerge themselves in the Disney universe with their families.
