PEOPLE
PHOTO: EBCI/THE 407
Attractions People
Puy de Fou has partnered with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
The biggest challenge for us is to become genuinely American in our hearts and minds, in order to understand what will move our future audience Nicolas de Villiers president, Puy du Fou
P
uy du Fou is set to enter the
Adventure project will feature the world’s
iconic, immersive themed visitor
largest Buc-ee’s Family Travel Center, as
experience, after securing a
well as shops, restaurants, other themed
partnership with the Eastern
experiences, parks and hotels.
Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI).
Here Nicolas de Villiers, chairman and
The EBCI Tribal Council has approved
artistic director of Puy du Fou, speaks
plans to provide US$75m worth of funding
exclusively to Attractions Management
for phase 1 of The Gateway to Adventure
about this exciting project.
project in Sevierville, Tennessee. The Puy du Fou element will be a major part of the 200-acre development, located at the start of the Smoky Mountains. According to EBCI, the US’ first Puy du Fou will be a
10
As well as Puy du Fou, The Gateway to
US attractions market with its
How did your partnership with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians come about?
Thanks to Matthew Cross, founder of
fully immersive walk-through show inspired
consultancy and development company OE
by an “authentic and heartbreaking Cherokee
Experiences, we crossed paths with the EBCI,
story” of their heroism in World War 1.
who were looking for diversification by creating a
attractionsmanagement.com Vol 27 / ISSUE 2
