Merlin Entertainments, the UK operator of attractions including Madame Tussauds waxworks and the London Eye, posted a rise in first quarter revenue helped by good weather in Europe and continued strong trade at its US Legoland Parks.
Merlin is the world's second biggest operator of visitor attractions behind Walt Disney.
It said today that underlying sales rose 3.3% in the 18 weeks to May 2 and by 6.5% on a constant currency basis when including contributions from new openings.
The group's Legoland Parks have enjoyed strong trade in particular over the past year, helped by promotional activity around 'The Lego Movie'.
"Merlin has had a satisfactory start to 2015," its group chief executive Nick Varney said. "We are positive on the outlook for the remainder of the year."
Merlin has ambitious expansion plans, with new Legoland Parks to open in Dubai, Japan and Korea by 2017 as well as short-stay sites such as Dungeons, Sea Life Centres and Shrek-themed attractions.
Those openings will be overseen by a new management team which was unveiled earlier this week.
Merlin aims to generate a third of its revenue from Europe, the Americas and Asia Pacific in the future, compared to over 60% coming from Britain and continental Europe currently.
