London Eye Owner Sets Its Sights on SeaWorld
- Merlin Entertainments is said to bid for part of SeaWorld
- SeaWorld is also said to receive interest from other suitors
Trainers work with killer whales Trua, front, Kayla, center, and Nalani during the Believe show in Shamu Stadium at the SeaWorld Orlando theme park in Florida on March 7, 2011.
Photographer: Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP PhotoMerlin Entertainments Plc has approached SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. about a potential deal, according to people familiar with the matter, as the U.K. theme-park operator seeks to expand overseas to offset a slide in tourists visiting London.
Merlin, which runs the Thorpe Park Resort in southern England and Legoland parks across the world, has made a bid for part of the company, which could be a hurdle as SeaWorld prefers an outright sale, the people said. SeaWorld, which has been working with advisers to explore options including a sale, also received interest from other possible suitors, the people said, asking not to be identified as the details aren’t public.