Story of IAAPI — Surge Amid Chaos

March 24, 2021

Indian Association of Amusement Parks and Industries (IAAPI) is an apex body representing the interests of Amusement Parks, Theme Parks, Water Parks, and Indoor Amusement Centre in India. IAAPI is a non-government, not-for-profit, industry-led, and industry-managed organization, playing a proactive role in the development of this sector. Founded in 1999, IAAPI is India’s premier business association having 461 members from the private sectors including small and medium enterprises consisting of park operators and equipment manufacturers. IAAPI is also recognized and affiliated by various international trade bodies operating in the Amusement sector.

IAAPI’s yearly surveys beginning from 1999 to 2021, indicate a steady rise in the number of members over the consecutive years — rising from around 243 members in the year 2011–12 to approximately 350 members in the year 2016–17. As per the highlights of the report provided by Sudharshan Ryagalla, Assistant Manager, IAAPI — the membership levels declined from 461 (All time highest) to 386 in 2021, almost mirroring the numbers back in the year 2017–18.

Organizational development is a major organizational function that has multifaceted goals, with a wide of techniques being employed; It entails developing, improving, and reinforcing structures in order to attain higher efficiency, reevaluating the member inclusion is another key aspect of the same.

Starting from a total of 38 members in the year 1999–2000, IAAPI slowly crossed the 100 mark by the year 2000–01, with a total of 110 members that further grew to 133 (2001–02), taking a minor hit in the coming years, the total declined to 114 only to rise steadily again to 150 by the year 2006–07. The vibrant and supportive network of IAAPI further extended to 169 (2007–08), and 187 in the year 2008–09. Being as committed as the organization has been, they immersed themselves in agendas beyond business, while making a conscious effort in channelizing the entire industry under one umbrella. The organization witnessed consistency in its membership for three consecutive years (2009–11), with 215 members before it finally saw a further increase in its membership — rising to 243, in the year 2011–12. The upcoming years marked a new era for the organization as it was nearing a total of 300. The organization focused on promoting tourism and employment generation, with its 269 members in the year 2012–13, which multiplied to become 289 in the year 2013–14. Finally, it was in the year 2014–15, the total surged to 318, and later to 343 by the next year. It was in the year 2016,17,18,19 that the organization witnessed the most rapid growth, as the total number of members stood at 424 in 2018–19, and at a striking 461 in the year 2019–20, before the pandemic hit.

During the harsh times of COVID-19, the organization has seen a mild stagnation in terms of member inclusion, however, there are some clear signifiers of the decline in stagnancy as the situation nears restoration of normalcy. Irrespective of the size or mission, notably, most of the organizations have faced a similar challenge during the pandemic that is showing symptoms of lasting a little longer before it finally bids goodbye.