PortAventura World celebrated its 30-year anniversary as an IAAPA member during the IAAPA Expo Europe 2025 in Barcelona. On Monday, September 22, the resort became the epicenter of the leisure industry, hosting events such as Sustainability Day, Safety Day, and EDU Tour, which brought together more than 300 professionals. An evening celebration highlighted the milestones, including a symbolic gesture to IAAPA leaders.
Significant Milestones for PortAventura World
The year 2025 marks two important milestones for the resort on the Costa Dorada: the 30th anniversary of its opening and 30 years of partnership with IAAPA. This global association for amusement parks, attractions, and family entertainment was founded in 1918 and represents leading attraction and supplier companies, consultants, as well as individual members from more than 100 countries.
The Anniversary Celebration and Symbolic Gesture
After the morning events, a celebration took place to mark PortAventura World’s 30-year anniversary with the industry. One of the evening’s highlights was the presentation by Fernando Aldecoa, general manager of PortAventura World. He presented Jakob Wahl, president and CEO of IAAPA, with an exclusive commemorative stone crafted from an original section of the “Dragon Khan” ride. This gesture symbolized the bond between the theme park resort and the association over three decades of close collaboration. With this recognition, the resort reaffirmed its commitment to the global entertainment industry as well as to values like excellence, safety, and creativity that IAAPA embodies.
Participating Executives
The celebration also included Choni Fernández, director of sustainability, customer, and institutional relations at PortAventura World, as well as Massimiliano Freddi, 2025 IAAPA chairman of the board. Attendees included Choni Fernández, Massimiliano Freddi, Jakob Wahl, and Fernando Aldecoa.
Networking and Experiences in the Evening
The exclusive event united industry professionals and resort partners for an evening that combined networking with exciting experiences. Representatives from companies around the world used the opportunity to connect and share their visions for the future of leisure. At the same time, they strengthened shared commitments to responsible tourism with PortAventura World. Guests received exclusive access to iconic attractions like “Hurakan Condor” as well as to new experiences and rides like “Hysteria in Boothill” and “El Diablo Neo.” At the end of the evening, they explored the haunted house “La Muerte Viva,” which is part of the resort’s highly anticipated Halloween season.
