Murcia Theme Park - more details emerge

10,000 jobs (at least), €1 billion of private investment, 'several' (over-priced) hotels, the biggest conference centre in Murcia, '4D' (like 3D, but takes longer, we presume) War of the Worlds alien battle zone, and a scheduled opening of 2015.

If it sounds like Mission Impossible, it's because it is, in that this movie, along with Star Trek and the Titanic, is just one of the many planned attractions at the Murcia Paramount theme park. 

Jesus Samper, Managing Director of the company commissioned to create the park, recently stated that the project will generate over 10,000 jobs (at least), and that “every euro invested will generate three”. Samper went even further, claiming that the park will operate at a profit by its second year (which obviously pleased investors). The Paramount Theme Park is now set to be (by far) the largest in Spain and the second largest in Europe.

Michael Bartok, Paramount’s representative responsible for the multinational licence said Murcia was of “strategic importance” for tourism, predictably highlighting the “300 days of sunshine in the region”.

The park, it was announced, will contain a number of attractions based on some of Paramount’s biggest titles. It will be split into zones inspired by the likes of Star Trek, Mission Impossible and Titanic, and will have several hotels, themed shopping malls, restaurants, bars and clubs, as well an enormous conference centre (it will be the biggest in the region), with capacity for over 15,000 people.

Construction will start this year, an announcement which has prompted industry experts to predict an boom in Murcia’s average house prices before very long. Before the estimated 4 million tourists a year begin to descend on the area, Murcia’s local economy will benefit through the employment of thousands of construction workers, plumbers, electricians, who have been desperate for work - as they have throughout Spain - since the recession kicked in. When the park opens, it will obviously continue to be a major employer, with thousands of park staff required, thus promoting wealth in the area.

When the park opens in 2015, the millions expected to visit every year will have a significant effect on the surrounding holiday accommodation industry. Hugh James, Director of Murcia Villas SL, one of the most respected local real estate agents in the region, with three offices throughout Murcia explained that property interest in Murcia is on the rise.

“Between the new park, the airport and the high-speed rail link all being due to be completed in the next 3 or 4 years, Murcia is seeing a real boost in investment, and we are seeing a real boost in investment property enquiries. Property prices are expected to soar, and we are offering investors guaranteed rental income on properties that are at incredibly attractive prices with equally attractive mortage and finance deals on offer."

Murcia, of course, is Spain’s warmest region, with over 300 days of annual sunshine. With this in mind, the Paramount theme park is expected to become the main rival for Disneyland Paris in rainbelt France as well as the original Disney theme parks in America, where high air fares and extra security are putting off European families. 

Hugh James revealed another, less well-known fact about the Murcia property market, "In the Costa Calida property market, prices are about 25% below the national average for Spain. This is attracting an increasing number of savvy buyers, as struggling developers and banks clear out empty and repossessed, key-ready apartments at huge discounts to generate cash for another wave of development that will be needed because of the Paramount investment. The Disney resorts in the States and even the one up in France sparked localised housing booms because of the demand for rented holiday homes and investors are expecting the same to happen here."