Everland Crowded with Farewell Guests for Pubao... Achieves Highest Off-Season Sales

20% Increase in Everland Visitors in Q1 Compared to Last Year
"Popularity of Fubao Continues with Younger Siblings Rui and Hui"

The giant panda Fubao's departure to China drew a crowd of farewell visitors to Everland, significantly reducing losses in Samsung C&T's leisure division during the off-season (January to March).

According to industry sources on the 28th, Samsung C&T's leisure division recorded a record high sales of 126 billion won in the first quarter of this year.

In Samsung C&T's leisure division, Everland (including Caribbean Bay) accounts for about 60% of sales. Sales in the leisure division dropped sharply to 74 billion won in the first quarter of 2020, when outdoor activities were severely restricted due to COVID-19, then gradually recovered to 77 billion won in 2021, 87 billion won in 2022, 124 billion won in 2023, and 126 billion won this year.

Generally, the first quarter, which includes the cold winter months of January and February, is a period when the number of visitors to theme parks like Everland decreases, resulting in operating losses of at least 10 billion won. Samsung C&T's leisure division typically incurs losses in the first quarter but earns profits during the rest of the year, resulting in overall annual profitability.

However, in the first quarter of this year, the number of visitors to Everland increased significantly, and sales of related merchandise such as souvenirs also rose, reducing the usual operating loss rate of around 20% to 8.7%.

The final appearance of the giant panda 'Fubao' revealed at Everland Panda World. Photo by Joint Press Corps

A Samsung C&T official said, "The number of visitors to Everland in the first quarter increased by about 20% compared to the same period last year. Such a growth rate is a rare phenomenon," adding, "It seems clear that the increase in visitors was influenced by people coming to see Fubao."

Fubao is the first panda born in Korea, born on July 20, 2020, to 'Leobao' and 'Aibao,' pandas sent by China in March 2016 as a symbol of Korea-China friendship.

Named "a treasure that brings happiness," Fubao lived in Everland Panda Land and was affectionately called "Yongin Pussi," "Princess Pu," and "Putuntun," gaining much love from Koreans.

Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many were exhausted by anxiety and isolation, Fubao's bright expression and cute gestures brought laughter and emotion, gaining explosive popularity.

Samsung C&T stated that even after general viewing of Fubao ended in early March, the increase in visitors continued, and the interest sparked by Fubao in Everland's panda family has extended to Fubao's twin siblings, Ruibao and Huibao.

The twins, born on July 7 last year weighing 180g and 140g, were publicly revealed on January 4 this year and have met about 600,000 fans over 100 days, growing into the next generation stars of Everland following their older sister Fubao.