ÖSAKA — The operator of Universal Studios Japan in Ösaka expects the number of park visitors to hit a record high in August due to its upcoming new attractions featuring the Harry Potter film series.
The number of visitors in August “will be 1.5 million to 1.8 million, or even higher,” exceeding the previous record high of 1.31 million visitors in August 2001, USJ Co. executive Tsuyoshi Morioka said in a speech in Ösaka. Morioka said reservations for the Universal Studios Japan amusement park are about six times higher than last year, with inquiries for tickets also coming from other Asian countries and Britain.
USJ will open its new Harry Potter area, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” on July 15. The company expects the number of foreign visitors to double to 1 million annually. It also aims to attract more visitors from the Tökyö area, Morioka said.
He said the company is negotiating with several parties to construct a new theme park, possibly in the Kyüshü or Okinawa region or elsewhere in Asia.