Overview
Wonderla is an Indian chain of amusement parks operated by Wonderla Holidays Limited, a publicly listed company headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The company runs amusement parks in Kochi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, and also operates a resort adjoining its Bengaluru park. It is among the largest amusement park operators in India, offering a mix of land-based and water-based rides.
Key facts
| Type | Public limited company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Amusement parks and leisure |
| Headquarters | Bengaluru, Karnataka, India |
| Parent | Wonderla Holidays Limited |
| Founder | Kochouseph Chittilappilly |
| Parks | Kochi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad |
| Listing | BSE, NSE |
Background
Wonderla was founded by businessman Kochouseph Chittilappilly, who is also the founder of V-Guard Industries. The amusement park business was developed initially under the name Veegaland in Kerala, and was later consolidated and rebranded as Wonderla as the company expanded outside the state. Day-to-day operations have been led by his son, Arun K. Chittilappilly, who serves as managing director of the listed entity.
History
- 2000: The first park, Veegaland, was opened at Pallikkara near Kochi, Kerala.
- 2005: The group's second amusement park was opened on the outskirts of Bengaluru, on the Mysore Road.
- 2008: Veegaland was rebranded as Wonderla Kochi, unifying the chain under a single brand.
- 2012: Wonderla Resort, a three-star property adjoining the Bengaluru park, began operations.
- 2014: Wonderla Holidays Limited completed an initial public offering and listed its shares on the BSE and NSE.
- 2016: The third park, Wonderla Hyderabad, opened on the outskirts of Hyderabad.
Parks
Wonderla Kochi
Located at Pallikkara in Ernakulam district, Kerala, this is the oldest park in the chain. It includes a mix of dry and water rides on a large landscaped site.
Wonderla Bengaluru
Situated on the Mysore Road in the outskirts of Bengaluru, this is the largest park operated by the company. The on-site Wonderla Resort caters to overnight visitors and corporate events.
Wonderla Hyderabad
Located off the Nagarjuna Sagar Road in Ranga Reddy district, Telangana, the Hyderabad park extended the chain's footprint into south-central India.
Operations
Wonderla designs and fabricates several of its rides in-house at a manufacturing facility in Kochi, which the company has cited as a means of controlling costs and customising attractions. Revenue is driven largely by ticket sales, food and beverage, merchandise, and resort operations, with attendance peaking during school holidays and weekends. The company has periodically announced plans to develop additional parks in other Indian cities.
Significance
As one of the few listed pure-play amusement park operators in India, Wonderla is often cited in discussions of the country's organised leisure and tourism sector. Its parks have received recognition within the Indian travel and hospitality industry for safety standards and visitor experience, and the company is regarded as a benchmark operator in the segment.
Related topics
- Kochouseph Chittilappilly
- V-Guard Industries
- Amusement parks in India
- Tourism in Kerala
- Tourism in Karnataka
- Tourism in Telangana
References
- Wikidata entity: Q8031870
- Wonderla Holidays Limited, corporate disclosures filed with BSE and NSE.