The CEO of SeaWorld Entertainment told investors Tuesday to expect a potential debt refinancing after reporting a drop in both revenue and attendance in 2016.
The announcement came after the company released an unaudited financial report and stated that the estimates were preliminary.
The company expects revenues of $1.34 billion, a decrease from $1.37 billion the previous year. The company’s theme and water parks drew approximately 22 million visitors last year compared to 22.47 million the previous year.
“In the fourth quarter, we continued to execute against our five point strategic plan, and we are encouraged to see the continued positive results of our efforts,” said Joel Manby, president and CEO of SeaWorld Entertainment. “We are also exploring a possible debt refinancing transaction in order to improve our capital structure by extending maturities and improving certain other terms of our debt.”
The company has struggled financially following the 2013 release of the movie Blackfish, which criticized the way SeaWorld treats its killer whales. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has filed a proposal asking SeaWorld investors to build an ocean sanctuary for their 22 orcas. Last year, SeaWorld stopped breeding the killer whales following a public outcry.
SeaWorld’s final fourth quarter results will be reported to investors in a Feb. 28 conference call.