Stefano Cigarini bids farewell to Cinecittà World and embarks on a new adventure at Gardaland. For 9 years, he served as the CEO of the cinema and TV-themed amusement park in Castel Romano, constantly working towards its evolution. He promoted a year-round calendar of activities for all ages and introduced new worlds like Roma World, among others.

Starting from March 1, 2025, Cigarini will join Merlin Entertainments as the Divisional Director for Gardaland, also taking on the role of CEO of the Resort. Prior to his tenure at Cinecittà World, Cigarini held the position of Senior Vice President Entertainment and Events at Ferrari, overseeing global events, brand experiences, theme parks, and museums. He has a wealth of experience in developing amusement parks across Italy, Europe, the UAE, and Russia, as well as working as the Marketing Director for Universal Studios and Sony BMG Music Company. His journey in the amusement park industry in Rome began in 2008 when he became the CEO of Zoomarine. He later assumed the same role at MagicLand in 2011 before joining Cinecittà World in 2016, successfully revitalizing it to become the fourth-largest amusement park in Italy.

After 9 intense years, it’s time to bid farewell to Cinecittà World…

My departure is not a goodbye but rather a see you later. I will remain a shareholder of Cinecittà World, overseeing its progress from afar. It has been a long and challenging journey, but fortunately a successful one.

How would you summarize your years at Cinecittà World?

When Cinecittà World entered the market, it faced numerous challenges. Through hard work and dedication, we steered it in the right direction. Today, it stands as a solid park, still evolving and growing. Amusement parks are judged over the long term. For instance, this year Gardaland celebrates its 50th anniversary, while Cinecittà World marks its first decade. Looking back at other parks that are now top attractions in Italy and Europe, they too started as fledgling projects at the ten-year mark. We are on par with this trajectory.

What legacy do you leave for your successor?

We have set the groundwork for the future. Cinecittà World is developing into a resort with the introduction of the second and third parks (Roma World and Aqua World) to offer a more extensive and comprehensive experience. We leave behind a park with the highest growth rate in Italy. In 2016, we ranked 31st among Italian parks, and today we are fourth. Furthermore, we have introduced unique attractions in Italy, such as Volarium, the flying cinema, and virtual reality experiences. These are examples of contemporary entertainment that set us apart.

What can we expect from Roma World in the future?

Roma World is envisioned as a grand project. Currently, it features the Ancient Roman village and the gladiator show. In the coming years, it will transform into an immersive experience of Imperial Rome, the provinces of the Empire, catering primarily to international visitors. Once completed, I believe it will draw tourists seeking a full immersion in the Rome of 2000 years ago, traversing from Rome to Pompeii, Gaul to Morocco, all in one stroll.

As you transition to a new chapter, are there any regrets or lessons learned from your time at Cinecittà World?

Undoubtedly, there are many things I would do differently, but when driving a project forward, leading a team, and pushing boundaries, mistakes are inevitable. We faced a challenging start for various reasons, made errors in ride choices, scheduling, and missed opportunities. However, when you take risks, you are bound to make mistakes. During my time at Ferrari, there was a quote on the walls that read, ‘If you have everything under control, you’re driving too slowly.’ We embraced this innovative spirit every year.

What is your perception of tourism in Rome, and do you see any changes on the horizon?

Rome boasts good tourism numbers, but there is room for improvement in visitor stays. Thanks to the efforts of some administrators, progress has been made, with increasing tourist numbers. Personally, I believe Rome is the most beautiful city globally, and that’s not up for debate. However, Rome lacks contemporary entertainment offerings. 30 years ago, Rome surpassed Paris in tourist arrivals, but with the opening of Disneyland Paris, Paris overtook Rome, attracting 10 million tourists annually. The capital heavily focuses on archaeology, history, and religion, all of which are timeless but need to be complemented with modern entertainment to appeal to diverse audiences. Parks can play a pivotal role in this transformation.

What are your hopes for the future of Rome?

I envision Rome as a vibrant city that visitors return to, not just once as a must-see destination but repeatedly for new experiences. This is the norm in other capitals. People revisit London, New York because they know there’s always something new to discover.

Welcome to our blog where we explore the exciting world of theme parks and entertainment! Today, let’s delve into the latest updates from the amusement park industry, particularly focusing on the renowned attractions of Rome.

Speaking of Rome, it’s like a fixed photograph that needs a bit of work. The question arises: has the next CEO of Cinecittà World been identified yet?

Well, the process is still underway and in the process of being finalized.

Now, what will Stefano Cigarini bring from his experience at Cinecittà World to Gardaland?

Stefano Cigarini aims to contribute not only with his experience at Cinecittà World but also with a broader expertise. Having had the privilege of starting from scratch, creating parks, entertainment structures, and projects, he has worked on both new and well-established projects globally. Gardaland, being Italy’s top tourist attraction in terms of revenue and second only to the Colosseum in visitor numbers, is a prestigious park that requires attention to detail and improvement, unlike Cinecittà World where everything had to be built from the ground up.

Before his official start at Gardaland on March 1, 2025, Stefano Cigarini will kick off the new season at the Cinema and TV-themed amusement park with a Carnival celebration in February. Stay tuned for the unveiling of the new business plan and CEO during this exciting event!

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