the park achieved figures over 3million 2010 - very, very successful indeed. This was through a combination of events, new rides and more!
What was the year they hit 3.5m? Was it 1994 with Nemesis and Toyland Tours?
It does make me wonder why the park have never hit near this number again in over 20 years, with more onsite accomodation, also now we have the internet where marketing has further reach and should theorectically be easier and cheaper.
Perhaps another contributing factor to Towers downward spiral is their target market now don't remember how grand the park used to be. I recall back when Merlin first took over, everyone was quite excited because the past few years the park had taken a dip. It seemed universally accepted that the park was surviving on the reputation it had built in the 90's and early 00's. Now, 10 years later those people don't visit the park any more (or at least a very small percentage of them) and because Merlin never invested in the park the way we all hoped, it's been neglected and I actually dont see many young people ever rave about the place like people would back in the day.
Towers can't survive on it's history of being one of the best theme parks any more. Families and 15-24 year olds these days know that the park doesn't compare to what else is out there, around Europe and the rest of the world. It's amazing to think Towers was considered one of the top 5 parks in Europe back in the 90's, and now it doesn't even come close.
Personally, I think the neglect has gone too far and there is no chance of recovery with their current strategy, especially after The Smiler incident. That LTDP? Might as well scrap it come up with a new plan. Not that the LTDP was going to plan anyway, but it would take a decade of mamoth investment (and determination to be the best in all areas) much like what happened when Tussauds took over from Broome in 89/90. Although you could argue that while the park took a little dip during Broome's last years it wasn't anywhere near as bad as things are now. Tussauds had a head start with the park already having a good reputation in terms of rides, experiences, and entertainment.